Pittsburgh (31-34) at St Louis (31-33)
When: Tuesday, June 11th 2024
Where: Busch Stadium,
St. Louis, MO
Time: 7:45 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Pittsburgh -116/7.5
Two National League Central rivals will begin a three-game series at Busch Stadium when the St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. Rookie phenom Paul Skenes will be on the mound for Pittsburgh and will be opposed by veteran Miles Mikolas. The Pirates are coming off consecutive series wins over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins – both at home. Pittsburgh’s offense averaged five runs a game in going 4-2 on their six-game homestand, but lost 11-5 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon to the Twins.
St. Louis had a great second half of May, but has since cooled off, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games including a four-game split with the Colorado Rockies over the weekend. Alec Burleson blasted a solo homer on Sunday as St. Louis recorded a 5-1 win over the Rockies. It was Burleson’s fourth in his last eight games. Rookie Masyn Wynn had two hits and two RBIs on Sunday to boost his total to 10 and four, respectively, over his last seven games. This is the first meeting of the season between these teams.
Pitching Matchup
Pirates – Paul Skenes (3-0, 3.00)
Cardinals – Mile Mikolas (4-6, 5.32)
The 6-foot-6 Skenes overcame a pair of homers and three runs to strike out eight batters in five innings during Pittsburgh’s 10-6 victory over the Dodgers. Skenes also worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam to end a threat in the fifth inning. The 2023 overall No. 1 draft pick has struck out 38 batters against only nine walks in 27 innings this season.
Mikolas is coming off a victory over the Houston Astros last Wednesday despite allowing two home runs and five hits in six innings. The right-hander has allowed three earned runs or less in five consecutive starts and is 5-6 with a 3.08 ERA in 21 career appearances (18 starts) against Pittsburgh.
These teams are pretty even in my opinion, but the huge edge goes to Skenes in this matchup. He has been as advertised and St. Louis has yet to see him. Also, the Pirates are averaging an impressive nine runs a game when Skenes starts. The Pirates are 7-2 in the last nine meeting against the Cardinals.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Pirates -120
