The Cardinals beat the Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday night at PNC Park. Matthew Liberatore (6-14) pitched 5.2 innings allowing 6 hits, 1 run (1 home run) with 6 strikeouts, and 0 walks. Liberatore finishes the 2026 season with career highs in both innings (155) and strikeouts (154).

Alec Burleson (112), Leo Bernal (18), Masyn Winn (56), and JJ Wetherholt (51) all had RBI’s.

Jordan Walker (21), and Victor Scott II (12) both had stolen bases.

The Cardinals are now 77-81.

Game 3 is Thursday morning at 11:35 am.

The scheduled starting pitchers are Kyle Leahy (10-5), 3.65 ERA, 138 innings. 129 strikeouts, 41 walks, and a whip of 1.34 vs Paul Skenes (10-11), 3.91 ERA, 168 innings, 192 strikeouts, 47 walks, and a whip of 1.13.