First pitch: 2:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
TV: Cardinals.TV / SportsNet PT
This is the series finale of a three-game NL Central set at Busch Stadium. The series is tied 1-1 after the Cardinals won Friday 4-1 and the Pirates responded with a 6-2 victory on Saturday. Both clubs sit in the middle of the NL Central pack well behind the division-leading Brewers, with St. Louis third and Pittsburgh fourth. The winner of today’s game claims the series.
Starting Pitchers
Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (13-5, 3.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 161 K in 155.1 IP)
Ashcraft has been one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable arms all season. He posts strong command numbers, generates strikeouts at a solid rate, and has turned in several quality starts recently, including deep outings with low run totals. He holds a clear edge in this matchup.
Cardinals: LHP Matthew Liberatore (5-12, 5.44 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 132 K in 129.0 IP)
Liberatore has struggled with consistency and has allowed elevated home-run rates. While he can miss bats, walks and hard contact have inflated his ERA. Recent outings have been mixed, and he enters as the underdog on the mound.
Weather Forecast (Busch Stadium)
Sunny and hot with temperatures around 91–93°F at first pitch. Light winds (approximately 9–12 mph from the south-southwest) and virtually no chance of precipitation (0%). Hot conditions could slightly favor offense, particularly if the wind helps carry balls.
Injury Reports
Pirates
Endy Rodríguez (C): 10-day IL (hip)
Ryan O’Hearn (OF/1B): 10-day IL (quadriceps)
Mitch Keller (SP): 60-day IL (arm)
Konnor Griffin (SS): 60-day IL (finger)
Key available players: Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe, Nick Gonzales, Oneil Cruz, and Spencer Horwitz.
Cardinals
Everson Pereira (OF): 10-day IL (hand)
Blaze Jordan (INF): 10-day IL (ankle)
Masyn Winn (SS): 10-day IL (thumb)
Andre Pallante (SP), Peter Strzelecki (RP), Hunter Dobbins (RP): 15-day IL
Max Rajcic (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Key available contributors: Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, and supporting hitters filling in for the injured infielders.
Key Player Matchups & Notes
Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe & Nick Gonzales vs. Liberatore: Reynolds provides on-base skills and power; Lowe offers middle-of-the-order pop; Gonzales has been a consistent contact hitter.
Alec Burleson & Jordan Walker vs. Ashcraft: Burleson leads the Cardinals in several offensive categories; Walker has shown recent production.
Ashcraft’s command and ground-ball ability should help neutralize St. Louis’ lineup. Liberatore must limit hard contact against a Pirates offense that ranks well in batting average and OBP.
Busch Stadium’s dimensions generally suppress some power, but the hot weather may increase carry.
Recent Team Forms
Pirates: 5-5 in their last 10 games. They bounced back with a solid win on Saturday and have shown the ability to score runs. Road record is 32-39.
Cardinals: 3-7 in their last 10 games. Home record is 34-37, and recent form has been poor overall.
Series History
St. Louis leads the 2026 season series 6-3 overall. In the current three-game set the teams are tied 1-1 heading into the finale. The clubs have split competitive matchups throughout the year.
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh is a slight road favorite largely due to the significant pitching advantage of Ashcraft over Liberatore.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates – 115
St. Louis Cardinals 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 29, 2026
