The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up a late-September road trip with a Thursday afternoon matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM ET on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Kyle Leahy takes the ball for St. Louis against one of the most closely watched arms in the National League Central, Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes. With the regular season winding down, every game in the division carries weight, and this one is no different for a Cardinals club looking to finish September on the right side of the ledger.
Cardinals at Pirates: Starting Pitcher Matchup
The pitching matchup tells two very different stories. Paul Skenes has been the headliner for the Pirates since he arrived in the big leagues, and he commands attention every time he takes the mound at PNC Park. The Cardinals will need disciplined at-bats against him — working pitch counts and staying patient early in counts rather than chasing his best stuff.
For St. Louis, Kyle Leahy draws the start. Leahy gives the Cardinals a chance to see what they have as the organization looks toward the offseason with a clearer picture of its roster depth. How he competes against a lineup that will be motivated at home is the central question heading into Thursday's game.
Keys to Watch for St. Louis
- Plate discipline against Skenes: Swinging early in counts against Skenes is a losing strategy. The Cardinals' lineup needs to grind at-bats, work deep into counts, and look for mistakes when they come. Avoiding strikeouts will be the difference between keeping the game competitive and getting shut down early.
- Leahy's command and efficiency: If Leahy can keep Pittsburgh's hitters off-balance and avoid big innings, St. Louis gives its bullpen a manageable workload. Walks and hard contact in the early innings would put the Cardinals in a difficult position quickly.
- Capitalizing on scoring opportunities: Against an elite arm like Skenes, the Cardinals cannot afford to leave runners stranded in scoring position. Situational hitting — moving runners, two-out RBI — will be at a premium in this one.
- Bullpen depth: Depending on Leahy's pitch count and effectiveness, the Cardinals' relief corps will likely be tested. How the back end of the bullpen performs in the middle innings could define the outcome.
How to Watch Cardinals vs. Pirates on September 24
Cardinals fans can catch Thursday's game on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen live on KMOX 1120 AM and 104.1 FM. Pittsburgh-area viewers can tune in on SportsNet Pittsburgh, with local radio coverage also available on 100.1 FM and KDKA-AM 1020.
Prediction: Cardinals vs. Pirates
This is a difficult matchup for St. Louis on paper. Skenes is a genuine challenge for any lineup, and asking Leahy to match him pitch for pitch is a tall order. The Cardinals are capable of manufacturing runs when the lineup stays disciplined, but Skenes will make them earn everything. Look for a low-scoring game where the Cardinals stay in it but ultimately fall short. Pirates win, 4-2.
