MLB Betting Odds Prediction on St Louis at Pittsburgh

The NL Central has been something of a one team show this season, as the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as the team to beat this season. The Pittsburgh Pirates have done a great job of hanging in there, though, and have a real chance to close the gap at the top when they welcome in the Cards for a 4-game series to end the first half. The first game of the series is scheduled for Thursday night. Be sure to check for more online betting odds for MLB by clicking here.

Cardinals terminate their scouting director, Chris Correa, in relation to Astros hacking scandal. (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 2, 2015

MLB Betting Odds Prediction on St. Louis at Pittsburgh & Game Info

Time: Thursday, 7:05 p.m. ETVenue: PNC Park, PittsburghNational TV: MLB NetworkOpening MLB Odds: Cardinals -110, Pirates +100 (7)The Cardinals (54-30) have been nothing short of brilliant through the first half of the season, but they are beginning to look like a team that is ready for a break. In fairness to them, they have had to deal with more than their fair share of injuries to key personnel, which makes their record all the more impressive. The losses are beginning to add up as the first half draws to a close, with the warning signs put in place last week when they lost back to back games to the White Sox. They then split a 4-game series with the Padres, and are currently 1-2 in their 4-game set with the Cubs. The lead atop the division has been cut to 4.5 games by the Pirates, and things could get a whole lot tighter of St. Louis can’t get back to winning games again. Carlos Martinez (9-3, 2.73 ERA) will try to reach double digit wins when he makes his final start of the first half on Thursday.The Pittsburgh Pirates (49-34) may not have started the season on the best form possible, but they are certainly closing out the first half in some considerable style. It has been tough on the other teams in the Central, as they have had to essentially sit back and watch the Cards rip everyone apart. The Pirates have just continued to play good ball, though, and are now being rewarded for that as St. Louis starts to sputter a little. A win in this series could leave things very tight at the top heading into the All-Star Break. There is a lot of credit to be given to everyone on the staff, but you have to pick out pitcher Gerrit Cole, as he became the first to reach 12 wins on the season. It will be Jeff Locke (5-4, 4.15 ERA) who will get the start for the Pirates on Thursday.

Key Betting Trends

St. Louis is 3-6 SU in its last 9 gamesThe total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 gamesSt. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the roadThe total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis’s last 9 games on the roadPittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 gamesThe total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 gamesPittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at homeThe total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games at home

Consider This Before Placing Your Bets

The Pirates are 2-4 against the Cardinals so far this season, but these two teams are at very different places than they were when they last met. While I like Martinez on the mound here, I still think the Pirates can find a way to win this one.