Pirates vs. Cardinals odds, line, prediction: 2026 MLB picks for Thursday, May 21 from proven model

The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to win the series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon. The Cardinals won Game 1, 9-6, while the Pirates won Game 2, 7-0. The Pirates are in last place in the NL Central, while the Cardinals are currently in second place. Pittsburgh will send Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 56 strikeouts) to the mound, and the Cardinals will counter with Dustin May (3-4, 4.81 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 35 strikeouts).

First pitch from Busch Stadium in St. Louis is set for 1:15 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh is a -130 favorite on the money line (risk $130 to win $100) in the latest Pirates vs. Cardinals odds, while the over/under is 7.5.

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The model has simulated Pirates vs. Cardinals 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the total, and it also says one side of the money line has ALL the value!

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