Cardinals at Pirates
The top two teams in the National League Central begin a crucial four-day, five-game series on Monday when the first-place St. Louis Cardinals visit the Pittsburgh Pirates. St. Louis limps into the Steel City after suffering a three-game sweep against the Atlanta Braves and holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Pirates. Pittsburgh lost to the Miami Marlins on Sunday and is playing at home for the first time since July 14.
The Cardinals and Pirates own the top two records in the NL and winning this series would further establish Pittsburgh as a legitimate pennant contender. The Pirates wilted over the second half of last season but improved pitching has helped place the team in the upper echelon of major-league clubs in 2013. St. Louis is 2-3 against Pittsburgh this season and enters on a lowlight after being outscored 11-3 in the series against the Braves.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (7-4, 2.95 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (10-4, 2.23)
Westbrook has won two straight outings and five of his last seven. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last four turns while pitching seven innings on three occasions. Westbrook tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on April 27 and is 1-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 14 career appearances (10 starts) against the Pirates.
Liriano was spectacular in his last outing when he gave up two hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings in a victory over the Washington Nationals. He has been superb at home with a 5-1 mark and 1.67 ERA in six starts. Liriano defeated the Cardinals in 2009, permitting two runs and four hits in seven innings in his lone career start against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte is 8-for-50 with 21 strikeouts over his last 12 games.
2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina had two hits on Sunday to raise his average to .334, second-best behind Atlanta’s Chris Johnson (.338).
3. Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez is 12-for-21 with two homers against Westbrook, while OFs Jose Tabata (.417 in 24 at-bats) and Andrew McCutchen (.360 in 25 at-bats) have also fared well against the 35-year-old veteran.