Pittsburgh at St. Louis

Pittsburgh is playing well, with a winning road record and an offense ranked sixth in baseball in runs scored, second in on base percentage. Third baseman Jung Ho Kang returned to the lineup yesterday, slugging a pair of homers while driving in three runs to lead Pittsburgh to a 4-2 victory. Kang is a .339 career hitter versus the Cardinals. The Pirates are 36-15 after allowing two runs or less in their previous game, plus 23-11 against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. St. Louis has a losing home mark, losing six of the last nine overall -- four of those as chalk. Cardinals' starter Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.68 ERA) has been terrible and has a lifetime 4.30 ERA against the Pirates, higher than all but two other National League teams. The Cardinals are 5-11 against the NL Central and this is a great spot for the talented dog. Play Pittsburgh.