On the evening of September 16, 2024, an intriguing MLB clash is set to take place at Busch Stadium as the Pittsburgh Pirates square off against the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:45 PM under overcast skies.

Leading the charge for the Pirates will be Paul Skenes, who enters the game with an impressive ERA of 2.100, signaling significant pitching strength. Conversely, Andre Pallante will take the mound for the Cardinals, carrying a higher ERA of 4.134, which could indicate some vulnerabilities the Pirates might exploit.

Looking at the 2024 NL Central Division standings, the Pirates are currently 12th with 71 wins and 78 losses, reflecting a .48 winning percentage including a divisional record of 22-20. Though fifth in their division, their recent form has been more promising with six wins in the last 10 outings, and they’re riding a winning streak of one game. The road record stands at 33-38, contrasted with a more even 38-40 at home, and they’ve scored 627 runs against 680 allowed.

The Cardinals find themselves slightly better positioned in 9th place with a 74-75 record translating to a .50 win percentage. Despite a challenging division record of 23-25, they sit third in the division. Their recent performance shows strain with only four wins in their last 10 games and a three-game losing streak. They have a 39-35 home record, though their performance dips on the road to 35-40. The Cardinals have managed 607 runs while giving up 674.

Betting odds provide another layer to this duel. The point spread is set at 1.5, with an over/under of 7.0. The betting lines are -141 for the Pirates and 120 for the Cardinals on the money line, suggesting a slightly favored position for the visiting Pirates. These odds provide bettors a perspective on expected game performance, where the Pirates might continue their recent positive trend, complicating efforts for a Cardinals turnaround in this confrontation.