Chad Kuhl (3-2, 3.70 ERA) and Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.53 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (67-67) and the St. Louis Cardinals (71-64) at PNC Park. The Pirates come into this series in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 5 and can be seen on ESPN, FSMW and RTPT.
Kuhl pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 3-0 defeat to the Cubs. Wainwright went 7.0 innings, surrendering one run and striking out seven in a 2-1 win over the Brewers in his last outing.
Notes
In their last game, the Pirates lost by a margin of 10 runs. The Cardinals are 2-2 in games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more. The Pirates have a 3-2 record in blowouts.
Pittsburgh has won 44% (27-34) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 56% (33-26) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cardinals managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are heading in with a 22-16 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Pirates are 43-12. The Cardinals have a 49-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th in runs, Pittsburgh has earned 597 this season. St. Louis ranks seventh with 658 runs.
Ranking 20th, Pittsburgh is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.730). St. Louis ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .774.
The Cardinals are 37-41 when they allow at least one home run. The Pirates perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 36-53 record.
