August 27: Cardinals (70-57) @ Pirates (68-59)
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
My, how things have changed since the last time the Pirates and Cardinals faced each other. The Pirates were hopeful that a 19-inning win over St. Louis on Aug. 19 was going to be a springboard for a playoff push. Instead, that club has gone 1-5 since — with series losses to the Padres and Brewers.
The Cards, on the other hand, have reeled off five wins in six games against the Astros and Reds. Sunday’s victory in Cincinnati pushed the Cardinals to within six games of the division lead — a deficit that those in the clubhouse still see as manageable. These are, though, a big three games in Pittsburgh. Not only do the Cardinals have to keep winning series if they want to close in on the Reds, but they can begin to bury the Pirates’ chances if they leave here as series winners.
Third baseman David Freese remains out of the lineup today, though he took swings this afternoon and said there was no discomfort with his left wrist. Freese was hit by a pitch on the wrist in Friday’s win.
Also, Lance Lynn is available out of the bullpen beginning tonight.
CARDINALS LINEUP:
- Jon Jay (CF)
- Matt Carpenter (3B)
- Matt Holliday (LF)
- Allen Craig (1B)
- Carlos Beltran (RF)
- Yadier Molina (C)
- Skip Schumaker (2B)
- Rafael Furcal (SS)
- Kyle Lohse (RHP)
PIRATES LINEUP:
- Jose Tabata (LF)
- Travis Snider (RF)
- Andrew McCutchen (CF)
- Garrett Jones (1B)
- Neil Walker (2B)
- Pedro Alvarez (3B)
- Josh Harrison (SS)
- Rod Barajas (C)
- A.J. Burnett (RHP)
Division standings are here. Wild card standings are here.
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