Cardinals at Pirates
The St. Louis Cardinals are finding a way to win a host of close games lately and will try to build off another to gain a fourth straight series win when they continue a four-game set at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The Cardinals took the first two games of the series by one run apiece and they've won nine of their last 11 - eight of them by three runs or fewer and four by one.
Paul Goldschmidt slugged a grand slam in the 10th inning of Monday's 6-5 win and added a two-run shot in the 4-3 triumph Tuesday night. Jose Martinez added a solo shot in a 2-for-4 effort after going 2-for-22 over his previous 10 games for the Cardinals, who entered the night 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. The Pirates are fading from contention in the division with a 2-9 mark since the All-Star break. They'll try to snap a three-game slide behind Jordan Lyles on Wednesday while St. Louis gives the ball to veteran Adam Wainwright.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals Adam Wainwright (6-7, 4.50 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jordan Lyles (5-6, 4.91)
Wainwright emerged from the All-Star break with a gem in a win over Arizona before putting up a stinker at Cincinnati in his next turn. The Reds got to the 37-year-old for seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings, although Wainwright did not walk a batter for the fourth time this year. He dominated the Pirates over seven innings in their last meeting in May but owns a 4.34 ERA in 39 career encounters.
Lyles had a nice bounce-back effort Friday against Philadelphia, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings. He was pounded for seven runs while recording just two outs in his previous turn at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Goldschmidt is 10-for-21 with a home run and six walks against Lyles, who limited the Cardinals to a run over six innings May 11 in St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cardinals designated LHP Chasen Shreve for assignment and activated RHP Mike Mayers from the 60-day injured list.
2. Pittsburgh CF Starling Marte hit a three-run homer Tuesday and is 8-for-17 during a four-game hitting streak.
3. St. Louis is 4-0 in Pittsburgh this year.