The Pirates and Cardinals, two teams trending in opposite directions, square off at Busch Stadium in St. Louis for a three game division series. The Cards, winners of their last two, stay put at home where they hold a 26-19 record this season. Pittsburgh continues their road trip in the Midwest after being swept by the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs.
St. Louis has scored 38 runs less than the Pirates this season but have also prevented 91 less runs. The Cardinals are three games back in the NL Central while Pittsburgh has fallen to 5.