Pittsburgh at St. Louis

The Pittsburgh Pirates had hoped to be heading in a better direction, coming into a crucial series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, but it is what it is. The Pirates have dropped four straight, and will need a sweep here to get to within 3.5 games of the Cardinals in the NL Central. The first game is going to have a lot to say on their future within the division, so a spirited effort behind surging starter J.A. Happ is to be expected. Happ is 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in his five starts with the Pirates. The Pirates are looking a lot better with the left-handed Happ on the mound, as St. Louis has crushed right-handed pitching on the season at 66-31, but have been very pedestrian and vulnerable to left-handed pitching where they are just 20-16. Back the road dog Pittsburgh.