It’s hard to overstate the importance of this weekend for all four of the National League wild-card contenders because of how it will set the stage for the final two weeks of the season.
The St. Louis Cardinals hold a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres, and they will match up against each other for three games. The Cardinals have won five consecutive games, sweeping the New York Mets at Citi Field, and the Padres won their last two games in their four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
“We’re excited to get into St. Louis,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said.