Pirates at Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals experienced a disappointing end to their 10-game road trip but look to keep their momentum going when they open a three-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. St. Louis was blanked 3-0 by San Diego on Thursday to halt its four-game winning streak and conclude a 7-3 road trip.
The Cardinals recorded 11 hits in Thursday's setback but never stepped on home plate while falling five games behind the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs and three in back of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. Matt Carpenter (shoulder) is expected back Friday after a three-game absence, but Kolten Wong (back) likely will miss his fifth straight contest. Pittsburgh lost the final two contests of its four-game series against the Cubs and needs to win 15 of its final 22 games to avoid a second straight losing season. Pirates rookie Josh Bell is hitless in nine at-bats over his last three games but leads the club in both homers (24) and RBIs (83).
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.14 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (4-1, 2.50)
Williams lost three consecutive decisions before ending his skid by pitching seven scoreless innings against Cincinnati in his last turn. The 25-year-old is 4-5 with a 4.74 ERA in 13 road appearances (10 starts). Williams is 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals this year and 1-1 with an 8.31 ERA in five career appearances (two starts).
Weaver has won three consecutive starts, allowing just four runs during that stretch. The 24-year-old has registered 29 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings during the span, twice striking out 10 and also fanning nine against San Francisco in his most recent start. Weaver has posted a 3.00 ERA in two career appearances (one start) versus the Pirates and has yet to retire Chris Stewart (3-for-3).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cardinals hold a 7-6 edge over the Pirates in the season series.
2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina is just 2-for-17 over his last five games.
3. Pittsburgh is expected to activate OF Gregory Polanco (left hamstring) and OF/2B Adam Frazier (right hamstring) before Friday's contest.