The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up a late-September road date when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Matthew Liberatore gets the ball for St. Louis against Pittsburgh's Lake Bachar in a late regular-season divisional matchup. With the NL Central standings still in play this deep into September, every game between these two clubs carries real weight. Cardinals fans can catch the action on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM.
Cardinals vs. Pirates Pitching Matchup: Liberatore vs. Bachar
Matthew Liberatore draws the start for the Cardinals in what shapes up as a meaningful late-season assignment. The left-hander has been a part of St. Louis's rotation picture and takes the mound at one of the more hitter-friendly environments in the National League. PNC Park's picturesque setting along the Allegheny River does not do pitchers any favors, so Liberatore will need to work efficiently and keep the ball in the yard.
On the other side, Pittsburgh sends Lake Bachar to the hill. Bachar is a name Cardinals hitters will need to prepare for carefully. Without a lengthy track record to lean on publicly, the St. Louis lineup cannot afford to take him lightly — late-season starts for a young arm can go either way, and an underprepared opponent is exactly what a pitcher in that spot thrives on.
Keys to Watch for the Cardinals at PNC Park
- Liberatore's command: The left-hander's ability to establish both sides of the plate early will set the tone. If he can limit walks and keep the Pirates off the bases, St. Louis has a real shot to win this one on the road.
- Capitalizing on early counts: Against a pitcher the Cardinals may not have deep familiarity with, jumping on Bachar early in counts and working deep into at-bats is critical. Patient at-bats that drive up his pitch count could turn the bullpen equation in St. Louis's favor.
- Bullpen management: A September road game with playoff implications demands smart late-inning decisions. How the Cardinals deploy their relief arms behind Liberatore could be the difference.
- Situational hitting: Runs scored with runners in scoring position have a way of deciding close NL Central games. Converting those opportunities against a Pittsburgh staff fighting for its own September pride will be essential.
Cardinals at Pirates Game Prediction
This is exactly the kind of divisional road game that defines a team's September character. Liberatore is a capable arm who can keep St. Louis in the game, and if the Cardinals offense does its job against an unfamiliar starter in Bachar, the road win is there for the taking. Call it Cardinals 4, Pirates 2 — but do not sleep on Pittsburgh playing spoiler at home late in the year. These games are earned, not handed out.
