Pirates try to end winless drought vs. Cards
St. Louis indeed blew the doors off Pittsburgh in yesterday’s series opener between the two NL Central rivals. Unfortunately, it felt like a very familiar refrain for fans in the Steel City.
The Pirates will try to snap their seven-game losing streak tonight, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch at PNC Park. Oddsmakers, though, aren’t inclined to side with the hosts. Online sports book Bovada.lv currently lists the Cardinals as 1.5-run favorites, while Clint Hurdle’s team enters the matchup as a -105 underdog. The over/under run figure holds steady at 8.5.
After starter Chad Kuhl labored to get through two innings about 20 hours ago, the outcome was never in doubt. The Redbirds rolled, 12-6, moving 4 ½ games ahead of the Buccos for the second wild-card spot in the National League. Stephen Piscotty, Matt Adams and ace hurler Adam Wainwright each tallied multiple RBIs.
This evening, Ryan Vogelsong inherits the task of neutralizing the Cards’ dangerous order. The resurgent righty holds a 2-3 record with a 3.34 ERA since returning from the disabled list after undergoing surgery to repair multiple facial fractures. He registered a relief appearance vs. St. Louis on May 8, permitting two hits and a walk.
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The Cardinals counter with rookie Luke Weaver. Regarded as a control specialist, he’s actually exhibited a surprising amount of velocity in the past week-plus. Weaver has notched 17 strikeouts over his last two turns.
Vogelsong rarely experiences much success against the Redbirds, having gone 3-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 22 career meetings with the franchise. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh finds itself in desperation mode here. Look for Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and the rest of the bats to do just enough to down Weaver.
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