Game Thread: Jameson Taillon’s turn to stem the tide

After last night’s stunning victory by the Cardinals, the Pirates’ Jameson Taillon (2-4, 4.53) will take his turn at trying to lay the foundations for a victory. As occurred last Sunday in Pittsburgh, he’ll be opposed by right-hander Miles Mikolas (6-0, 2.58)

The Pirates did better in their second attempt at Mikolas, plating four runs in six innings in a game where the Cardinals scored five times against the Pittsburgh bullpen en route to a 6-4 victory.

Relying heavily on a two-seam fastball, curve and slider, Mikolas has walked only 7 while striking out 51 in ten starts covering 66 innings.

Manager Clint Hurdle’s lineup has Austin Meadows sitting while Francisco Cervelli bats second. The Cardinals use much the same lineup as the day before, except for Kolten Wong starting at second base and Marcell Ozuna in left field, as Tommy Pham takes as seat.

*Josh Harrison was a late scratch due to ‘flu-like’ symptoms.

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PIRATES

1 R Josh Harrison L Adam Frazier 2B

2 R Francisco Cervelli C

3 R Starling Marte CF

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 L Corey Dickerson LF

6 L Colin Moran 3B

7 L Gregory Polanco RF

8 R Jordy Mercer SS

9 R Jameson Taillon RHP

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CARDINALS

1 L Matt Carpenter 3B

2 R Harrison Bader CF

3 R Jose Martinez 1B

4 R Marcell Ozuna LF

5 L Dexter Fowler RF

6 R Yairo Munoz SS

7 L Kolten Wong SS

8 R Francisco Pena C

9 R Miles Mikolas RHP