The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, each in second place in their divisions, are expected to be in the thick of the playoff race during the second half of the season. The clubs open a three-game series in Atlanta on Friday.
The Braves begin the second half 8 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the National League East. St. Louis is 4 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. Atlanta currently holds the top wild-card spot, 3 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis.
The Cardinals won two of three from the Braves in their first meeting in St.