Cardinals at Pirates 9/18/20 - Game 1 - MLB Picks & Predictions

In the first game of a Friday MLB doubleheader, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates will square off from PNC Park. Last night, St. Louis managed just two hits and struck out eight times during a 5-1 road loss against Pittsburgh. Austin Gomber (0-1) gave up four runs and recorded just five outs in a losing effort for the Cardinals, who dropped to 22-24.

Twenty-eight year old righty Carlos Martinez (0-2 10.32 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Cardinals. Through 11 plus innings, Martinez has been touched up for 20 hits and four home runs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have dropped 14 of their 24 home games and own the worst overall record in the majors. On Thursday, Pittsburgh SP Steven Brault (1-3) went the distance and did not allow an extra base hit. OF Gregory Polanco crushed a three-run blast to power the Pirates (15-34) on offense.

Twenty-eight year old righty Trevor Williams (1-7 6.35 ERA) will take the ball for the Pirates on Friday.  Pittsburgh has lost each of Williams’ last five starts and he has given up 25 runs in his last 25 innings.