PITTSBURGH — The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates begin the unofficial second half of the season in the same boat.
Going into their weekend series, starting Friday at PNC Park, the Cardinals (43-45) and Pirates (42-47) are not dead in the water despite being below .500.
St. Louis is tied for second in the National League Central, 5 1/2 games behind Milwaukee. Pittsburgh is fourth, seven games out. A strong run by either might allow them to catch the Brewers.
Neither has shown a propensity for such an outburst of wins on a sustained basis, though.