Pirates play the Cardinals after Griffin’s 4-hit game – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
St. Louis – The Pittsburgh Pirates arrive at Busch Stadium on Thursday afternoon carrying momentum from a strong offensive outing the day before. They will face a St. Louis Cardinals club that has shown steady power at the plate and a solid home record this season. The 1:15 p.m. EDT start offers both teams a chance to adjust their positions in the division standings before the weekend.
The contest represents the seventh meeting between the clubs in 2026. St. Louis enters with a 5-1 advantage in the season series, giving the home side an early psychological edge. Fans can expect a measured afternoon game shaped by pitching and timely hitting rather than late-inning fireworks.
Recent Form and Home Dynamics
The Cardinals have compiled a 28-20 overall record and stand second in the NL Central. At home they hold a 13-12 mark, a foundation that has helped them stay competitive despite occasional road struggles. Their 55 home runs rank seventh in the league, providing consistent extra-base production that can change games quickly.
Pittsburgh sits at 25-24 and fifth in the division. The Pirates have performed well on the road with a 12-11 record and show particular strength when they score five or more runs, going 16-9 in those contests. Their recent stretch includes a 4-6 mark over the last 10 games, leaving room for improvement as they look to close the gap on the teams ahead of them.
Pitching Matchup and Lineup Expectations
Braxton Ashcraft will take the mound for Pittsburgh with a 2-2 record and 3.09 ERA. He has struck out 56 batters while keeping his WHIP at 1.05, numbers that suggest he can keep the Cardinals’ offense in check if he locates his pitches effectively. The Pirates will count on him to deliver length and limit damage in the middle innings.
Dustin May counters for St. Louis with a 3-4 mark and 4.81 ERA. His 1.42 WHIP and 35 strikeouts indicate he has battled some control issues, yet the Cardinals believe his stuff can generate swings and misses against a Pittsburgh lineup that has shown vulnerability to right-handed pitching. The over/under sits at 7½ runs, reflecting expectations for a game that could stay close or open up depending on early command.
Players Poised to Influence the Outcome
Jordan Walker continues to anchor the Cardinals’ offense with 10 doubles and 13 home runs while batting.296. His ability to drive the ball to all fields has kept opposing pitchers honest throughout the season. Teammate JJ Wetherholt has collected 11 hits in his last 40 at-bats, including two home runs, giving St. Louis added depth in the middle of the order.
For the Pirates, Oneil Cruz has delivered nine doubles and 10 home runs, providing the power threat that can erase deficits in a single swing. Brandon Lowe has gone 9 for 42 over the past 10 games with three doubles, a triple and two home runs, showing the kind of recent production that could help Pittsburgh manufacture runs against May.
Injury Situations and Roster Adjustments
St. Louis will monitor the status of Ramon Urias, who remains on the 10-day injured list with an elbow issue, and Lars Nootbaar, who is on the 60-day list recovering from heel problems. These absences have forced the Cardinals to rely on depth players who have responded with steady contributions.
Pittsburgh faces its own challenges with Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day list due to a quadriceps strain, Joey Bart sidelined by a foot infection, Chris Devenski on the 15-day list with an illness, and Jared Jones on the 60-day list with an elbow injury. The Pirates have leaned on their remaining position players to maintain offensive output while the medical staff works toward returns.
What Fans Should Watch For
Both clubs enter the game with balanced recent results. The Cardinals are 5-5 over their last 10 outings with a.243 batting average and 3.75 ERA, while the Pirates sit at 4-6 with a.280 average and 4.45 ERA. The run differential remains close, suggesting small margins will decide the outcome.
Attention will center on how the offenses handle the opposing starters and whether either team can string together rallies in the middle innings. With the series already tilted toward St. Louis, Pittsburgh will look for signs of progress that could shift momentum heading into the next stretch of games.
