Series Preview: Pirates at Cardinals

The Pirates (71-71) carry a five-game winning streak into another series in St. Louis.

Last time around, two weeks ago, the Cardinals (79-64) took two of three. Since then, the Cards have gone 4-5, winning Sunday to salvage one game in Detroit over the weekend, after losing the first two on walk-offs.

St. Louis has a hold on the National League’s second wild-card spot, 2 1/2 games behind the Brewers and a game ahead of the Dodgers. The Cardinals trail the Cubs in the NL Central by 4 1/2 games.

Adam Wainwright returns from an elbow injury to make his first start since May in the series opener Monday.

Season Series: 9-7 Cardinals

At Pittsburgh

April 27: Pirates 6, Cardinals 5, 11 innings

April 28: Pirates 6, Cardinals 2

April 29: Pirates 5, Cardinals 0

At Pittsburgh

May 25: Pirates 8, Cardinals 1

May 26: Cardinals 4, Pirates 1

May 27: Cardinals 6, Pirates 4

At St. Louis

May 31: Cardinals 10, Pirates 8

June 1: Pirates 4, Cardinals 0

June 2: Cardinals 3, Pirates 2

June 3: Cardinals 5, Pirates 0

At Pittsburgh

August 3: Pirates 7, Cardinals 6

August 4: Cardinals 8, Pirates 4

August 5: Cardinals 2, Pirates 1

At St. Louis

August 28: Cardinals 5, Pirates 2

August 29: Pirates 2, Cardinals 0

August 30: Cardinals 5, Pirates 0

Schedule

Monday, 8:15 p.m. — Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00); TV: AT&T SportsNet

Tuesday, 8:15 p.m. — Joe Musgrove (6-8, 3.75) vs. Miles Mikolas (14-4, 3.06); TV: AT&T SportsNet

Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. — Jameson Taillon (12-9, 3.40) vs. Austin Gomber (5-0, 2.93); TV: AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network

You know the Cardinals, so let’s get to the ...