Sports Today Tuesday, September 22
← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 22, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals
76-80 · 4th in NL Central, 22 GB
Offense cooling lately
RHP Andre Pallante · Pitches to contact
@
Pittsburgh Pirates
79-77 · 3rd in NL Central, 19 GB
Bats heating up
RHP Jared Jones · Elite strikeout stuff
MLB · PNC Park · 3:40 PM PT

Team Identity

St. Louis Cardinals
Season-to-date, 156 games, 6,127 PA.
A balanced offense without a standout strength or glaring weakness. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Well Below14
Contact
Average56
Plate Discipline
Below Avg32
Speed
Average61
RISP
Average50
Recent Form
Trending Down
Total bases per PA is down 11% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Season-to-date, 156 games, 6,269 PA.
An aggressive, patient offense that runs and pressures defenses on the bases. The bats have been heating up lately.
Power
Average46
Contact
Above Avg67
Plate Discipline
Above Avg69
Speed
Above Avg82
RISP
Above Avg67
Recent Form
Trending Up
Total bases per PA is up 14% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.

What This Game Is About

Biggest Advantage

Pirates' offense is defined by being aggressive, and this game tests whether Cardinals can match it.

Swing Factor

Andre Pallante strikes hitters out at a 15.9% clip (13th percentile); Pirates carry a 23.1% strikeout rate.

Momentum

Cardinals are trending down and Pirates are trending up over their last 10 games.

Key Matchups

Can Andre Pallante miss enough bats?
Andre Pallante strikes hitters out at a 15.9% clip (13th percentile); Pirates carry a 23.1% strikeout rate.
Edge · PiratesAndre Pallante: 15.9% K ratePirates: 23.1% K rateHigh confidence
Can Jared Jones miss enough bats?
Jared Jones strikes hitters out at a 27.9% clip (89th percentile); Cardinals carry a 20.1% strikeout rate.
Edge · CardinalsJared Jones: 27.9% K rateCardinals: 20.1% K rateHigh confidence
Can Jared Jones limit Cardinals' power?
Cardinals rank in the 14th percentile in extra-base production, while Jared Jones sits in the 46th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · Jared JonesCardinals: 0.328 TB/PAJared Jones: 0.345 TB/PA allowed (391 PA)High confidence
Can Andre Pallante command the strike zone?
Pirates walk in 8.8% of trips; Andre Pallante allows walks sparingly (7.2%).
Edge · Andre PallantePirates: 8.8% walk rateAndre Pallante: 7.2% walks allowedHigh confidence
Can Jared Jones command the strike zone?
Cardinals walk in 8.1% of trips; Jared Jones allows walks sparingly (7.9%).
Edge · Jared JonesCardinals: 8.1% walk rateJared Jones: 7.9% walks allowedHigh confidence

Pitcher Trends

Andre Pallante
Andre Pallante
St. Louis Cardinals · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts3.6/start
Hits allowed5.1/start
4 or fewer Strikeouts — 5 of last 64 or fewer Hits Allowed — 3 of last 6
16% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.
Jared Jones
Jared Jones
Pittsburgh Pirates · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts6.4/start
Hits allowed4.9/start
6+ Strikeouts — 5 of last 64 or fewer Hits Allowed — 4 of last 6
28% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Ronny Simon
Ronny Simon
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.353 hit rate · 0.647 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L55 / 5L108 / 10L2511 / 155-game hit streak
Total bases per PA is up 126% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 5 games.
Rafael Flores
Rafael Flores
Pittsburgh Pirates · 0.382 hit rate · 0.618 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L109 / 10L2515 / 252-game hit streak
Hit rate is up 80% over his prior baseline, with hits in 8 of his last 9 games.
Nathan Church
Nathan Church
St. Louis Cardinals · 0.316 hit rate · 0.421 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L107 / 10L2520 / 25
On-base rate is up 52% over his prior baseline, with hits in 7 of his last 10 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 8%.
Jordan Walker
Jordan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals · 0.111 hit rate · 0.139 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L51 / 5L103 / 10L2512 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 68% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 10 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 36%.
Bryan Torres
Bryan Torres
St. Louis Cardinals · 0.056 hit rate · 0.056 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L50 / 5L105 / 10L2513 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 82% over his prior baseline, with hits in 1 of his last 6 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 28%.
Thomas Saggese
Thomas Saggese
St. Louis Cardinals · 0.146 hit rate · 0.146 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L105 / 10L2516 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 63% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 10 games.

Players Positioned to Succeed

75
Konnor Griffin
Konnor Griffin
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Recent contact results are improving
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
74
Rafael Flores
Rafael Flores
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Low recent strikeout rate
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
74
Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Recent contact results are improving
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
72
Leo Bernal
Leo Bernal
1+ Hit
St. Louis Cardinals
Why it stands out
Low recent strikeout rate
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
72
Brandon Lowe
Brandon Lowe
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Consistently reaching base
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted
67
Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds
1+ Hit
Pittsburgh Pirates
Why it stands out
Strong recent plate-appearance volume
Main risk
Lineup not yet posted

Expected Game Shape

Contact-heavyModerate confidence

Offense likely comes from stringing hits together. Pirates bring stronger recent momentum. Pirates bring more power.

Early edge Pirates Driver Traffic and situational hitting Volatility Elevated
  • Both probable starters grade around the 55th percentile in combined suppression.
  • Cardinals are trending down; Pirates are trending up.

Storylines to Watch

Can Jordan Walker snap out of it?
Jordan Walker has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 68% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 10 games. His strikeout rate has climbed to 36%.
0.111 hit rate · 0.139 TB/PA · 0.251 hit rate · 0.435 TB/PA
Is Ronny Simon the one to watch?
Ronny Simon enters as Pirates' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 126% over his prior baseline, with hits in 5 of his last 5 games.
0.353 hit rate · 0.647 TB/PA · 0.257 hit rate · 0.286 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-22, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.