Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals 9/30/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series on the road Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Pittsburgh improved to 59-97 following its 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Pittsburgh swept Cincinnati in its three-game series and the Pirates have won four out of the last five. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh has been eliminated from postseason contention.

Center fielder Bryan Reynolds is batting .262 with 26 home runs, 60 RBIs, 137 hits and an on-base percentage of .345 to lead Pittsburgh in each of the categories. Jack Suwinski is second in home runs with 18 while Oneil Cruz is second in RBIs with 53. On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates will send Johan Oviedo to the mound. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA, 49 Ks and 21 BBs.

St.Louis dropped to 90-66 following its 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. St Louis has lost three of the last four but the Cardinals have a 6 ½-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of the National League Central. St Louis clinched the division title, after defeating Milwaukee in the first game of their two-game series on Tuesday.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is batting .318 with 35 home runs, 114 RBIs, 175 hits and an on-base percentage of .404 to lead St Louis in each category. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is second in both home runs with 30 and RBIs with 100. On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals will send Jack Flaherty to the mound. The right hander is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA, 26 Ks and 20 BBs.