The Cardinals enter a four-game series with the Pirates having lost six of seven. Sitting at 19-10 through March and April, St. Louis is 2-6 in May.
They ran into a suddenly strong Cubs team, losing three at Wrigley Field last weekend, then dropped two of three at home to the Phillies — 11-1 and 5-0 losses — during the week.
The Cards are 1 1/2 games behind the National League Central-leading Cubs. The Pirates (17-16), coming off a disappointing split of two games with Texas are 3 1/2 back of the leaders.
Season Series: 2-0 Cardinals
At Pittsburgh
April 1: Cardinals 6, Pirates 5, 11 innings
April 3: Cardinals 5, Pirates 4, 10 innings
Schedule
Thursday, 7:45 p.