Cardinals at Pirates (Game 1)
The Pittsburgh Pirates put on a rousing display in the opener of a pivotal five-game series and can move into first place with a doubleheader sweep when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Pittsburgh pulled within a half-game of St. Louis in the National League Central with Monday’s 9-2 victory, a win sparked by a four-run first inning. The loss was a season-worst fourth straight for the Cardinals, who have scored five total runs during the skid.
St. Louis has led the NL Central since late April, but has struggled on offense recently and has tallied three runs or fewer in seven of the last nine games. Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez took over the NL home run lead with his 27th blast, a three-run shot in the opening inning. The Pirates are 4-2 against St. Louis this season.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (12-5, 3.98 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (4-7, 2.96)
Lynn was originally slated to start the second game, but manager Mike Matheny moved him up to the opener because he wanted an experienced pitcher to start against Burnett. He beat the Philadelphia Phillies in his last outing when he gave up one run and five hits in seven innings. Lynn defeated the Pirates twice in April and is 4-1 with a 4.23 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against them.
Burnett is 1-5 over his last 11 starts with the lone victory coming against the Chicago Cubs on June 8. He took a no-decision against the Washington Nationals in his last outing when he gave up four runs (one earned) and nine hits in seven innings. Burnett beat St. Louis on April 17 when he pitched seven innings of one-hit ball and is 7-5 with a 3.87 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cardinals.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis 1B Allen Craig is 0-for-17 with nine strikeouts over the last five games.
2. Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen had two hits in the opener and is batting .337 in July.
3. Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran is batting .306 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 36 career at-bats against Burnett.