Pirates vs Cardinals Preview: Skenes Faces McGreevy in St. Louis

Pittsburgh brings their strongest pitcher to Busch Stadium for Wednesday's game. Paul Skenes, ranked among baseball's best arms, gives the Pirates hope whenever he takes the mound. However, the Pirates have struggled lately, dropping four straight games. They'll face St. Louis, a team playing well with a nine-win record over their last ten games. Carmen Mlodzinski starts for Pittsburgh, though missing some key players due to injuries. Oneil Cruz, standing six-foot-seven with rare power and speed, remains a dangerous threat in the lineup. This matchup matters because Pittsburgh needs momentum, while the Cardinals look to keep climbing in the standings.

St. Louis has built something special this season, sitting at twenty-eight wins and nineteen losses. Their pitching staff relies on young talented arms like Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May to step up in big moments. Michael McGreevy starts Wednesday's game, continuing the Cardinals' rotation of developing pitchers. Unlike Pittsburgh's ace-focused approach, St. Louis wins through strong performances from multiple starters working together. Alec Burleson provides steady hitting, while shortstop Masyn Winn handles important defensive duties when healthy. The Cardinals recently beat the Pirates nine to six, proving they can finish strong when it counts most.

This matchup features contrasting styles and storylines that make it compelling baseball. Pittsburgh relies on their ace-caliber starter and explosive athletes like Cruz to create scoring chances, while St. Louis uses balanced pitching and consistent contact hitters. Both teams have pieces missing to their roster—the Pirates without several injured players and the Cardinals managing Winn's availability. The game matters because Pittsburgh desperately needs a win to stop their slide, whereas St. Louis looks to extend their winning momentum. When these teams meet at Busch Stadium, you're watching a clash between different philosophies of building a winning team.