Series preview: Cardinals come back to the ‘Burgh

St. Louis Cardinals (55-56) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-71), August 10-12, 2021

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Cardinals SB Nation Site: Viva El Birdos

The Pirates face the Cardinals 10 times in the month of August, with three of those meetings coming this week in Pittsburgh.

Here’s a look at what we can expect:

Projected Starters

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. EST

J.A. Happ (5-6, 6.62 ERA) vs. Steven Brault (0-0, 2.25 ERA)

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. EST

Adam Wainwright (10-6, 3.48 ERA) vs. Wil Crowe (3-6, 5.47 ERA)

Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EST

TBD vs. JT Brubaker (4-11, 4.95 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Cardinals

1. Dylan Carlson (RF)
2. Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
3. Nolan Arenado (3B)
4. Tyler O’Neill (LF)
5. Tommy Edman (2B)
6. Harrison Bader (CF)
7. Paul DeJong (SS)
8. Andrew Knizner (C)
9. Starting Pitcher

Pirates

1. Kevin Newman (SS)
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Colin Moran (1B)
5. Anthony Alford (LF)
6. Jacob Stallings (C)
7. Gregory Polanco (RF)
8. Rodolfo Castro (2B)
9. Starting Pitcher

After a 1-6 road trip against division rivals, the Pirates return to the friendly confines of PNC Park to battle the Cardinals in a three-game set.

The Cardinals swept the Pirates the last time these two teams met in Pittsburgh, so the Pirates are hoping to reverse those fortunes this week.

It starts tonight with Steven Brault making his second start of the season as he faces former Bucco J.A. Happ., who is making his second start of the season for the Cardinals, who acquired him July 30.

Happ is one of a handful of major leaguers to play for eight MLB franchises.

The series continues Wednesday with Adam Wainwright taking on Wil Crowe and a Thursday matinee finale, where we’ll see JT Brubaker look to snap his losing streak once again.

At this point, the Pirates are playing for pride and it’d be nice to see them grab a win against a beatable rival at home.

Here’s to hope!