The Pittsburgh Pirates play the final game of a three-game series on the road Sunday against the St Louis Cardinals. Pittsburgh is 43-79 following a 4-0 victory over the Cardinals in the opening game of the series on Friday. Gregory Polanco had a pair of RBIs for Pittsburgh and Mitch Kellter pitched strong over five innings. However, the Pirates are last in the National League Central 30 ½ games behind first place Milwaukee.
Bryan Reynolds is batting .306 to lead Pittsburgh and the left fielder as team highs in home runs with 21, RBIs with 72, hits with 132 and on-base percentage at .389. As a team, Pittsburgh has hit only 93 home runs in 122 games. On Sunday, Pittsburgh will send Steven Brault to the mound. The right-hander is 0-1 with an ERA of 1.84, 12 Ks and 2 BBs.
Following its loss on Friday to Pittsburgh, St Louis dropped to 62-59. The Cardinals have lost three of the last four after winning six straight including sweeping Pittsburgh and Kansas City in three-game series. The Cardinals are third in the National League Central 11 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.
Paul Goldschmidt is batting .280 to lead St Louis and the first baseman has team highs in hits with 129 and on-base percentage at .348. Third baseman Nolan Arenado has 25 home runs and 80 RBIs to lead St Louis in both categories. On Sunday, St Louis will send Adam Wainwright to the mound. The right-hander is 11-7 with an ERA of 3.26, 141 Ks and 39 BBs.
