The Pirates start one of their most important series of the year tonight, taking on the first place St. Louis Cardinals in the first of four games to wrap up the first half of the season. The Pirates currently have the second best record in the National League, which is usually a very encouraging thing. However, it’s met with frustration, due to the fact that the best record in the NL is owned by St. Louis.
At times it seemed like the Pirates would never be able to pull within six games of St. Louis. Even if they went 8-2 in their last ten, the Cardinals would match them.