Game Thread: Kuhl aims to complete sweep of Cards

Despite Busch Stadium’s Ban on Brooms(R) the Pirates look to complete a three game sweep Sunday night at 8:05 p.m. ET. Chad Kuhl (2-6, 5.46) faces off against Mike Leake (5-6, 3.03)

Leak’s fastball this year average 90.2 mph, right about the same as every year. He throws a Sinker 42% of the time, Cutter 21%, Slider 11%, Fastball 10%, Changeup 9% and Curve 8%.

Clint Hurdle has placed John Jaso in right field batting third, giving Gregory Polanco a night off from starting, and Elias Diaz catches.

For the home Cardinals, Aledmys Diaz returns to the lineup at shortstop and Randall Grichuk gets his first start of the series, in left field. Carpenter and Garcia are the only left-handed bats in the lineup.

PIRATES

1 L Adam Frazier, LF

2 R Josh Harrison, 2B

3 L John Jaso, RF

4 R David Freese, 3B

5 S Josh Bell, 1B

6 R Andrew McCutchen, CF

7 R Jordy Mercer, SS

8 R Elias Diaz, C

9 R Chad Kuhl, RHP

CARDINALS

1 L Matt Carpenter, 1B

2 R Tommy Pham, CF

3 R Stpehen Piscotty, RF

4 R Randall Grichuk, LF

5 R Yadier Molina, C

6 R Aledmys Diaz, SS

7 R Paul DeJong, 2B

8 L Greg Garcia, 3B

9 R Mike Leake, RHP