The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to clash with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on September 17, 2024. The game is scheduled for a 7:45 pm start under clear skies. The pitching matchup for the evening features Bailey Falter for the Pirates, who holds a 4.197 ERA, while Lance Lynn, with a 3.961 ERA, will take the mound for the Cardinals.

As of the current standings in the 2024 NL Central Division, the Pirates hold the 12th position with a record of 71-79, yielding a .470 winning percentage. The Pirates, fifth in their division matchups with a record of 22-21, display a recent performance of 5 wins in their last 10 games and come into this game on a single game losing streak. Their home and away records stand at 38-40 and 33-39, respectively, with a slightly stronger performance in night games.

On the other hand, the Cardinals are positioned 9th in the NL Central with an even 75-75 record, reflecting a .500 winning percentage. They are currently third in division play with a 24-25 record. The Cardinals, who have won four out of their last 10 matchups, possess a better home record (40-35) compared to their road efforts (35-40).

Turning to the betting odds, the Cardinals are favored with a point spread of -1.5 and a money line of -138, indicating a slight advantage on their home field. The Pirates, however, are not distant competitors as indicated by their +118 money line. The total over/under for the game sits at 8.0, suggesting expectations of moderate scoring from both teams. These odds entice a closer look into each team’s capability to cover spreads and the total likelihood of a high or low-scoring affair.