St. Louis @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2013 ) St. Louis 4, Pittsburgh 5

The soaring Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to complete a rare five-game sweep of St. Louis when they host the Cardinals in Thursday’s series finale. Pittsburgh has outscored St. Louis 22-7 while winning the first four games and possesses a 2 1/2-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central after Wednesday’s 5-4, come-from-behind victory. St. Louis has lost a season-worst seven games and has tallied just 10 runs during the skid.

The Cardinals racked up 13 hits in Wednesday’s loss, which was four more than they totaled in 20 innings during Tuesday’s doubleheader loss. Pittsburgh second baseman Neil Walker homered Wednesday but his baserunning was equally important as he alertly moved up to second base on Pedro Alvarez’s fly to left immediately before Russell Martin hit the decisive single. The Pirates are 23 games above .500, have the best record in the majors are looking for their five-game sweep since a series against the San Francisco Giants in 1996.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (1-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Charlie Morton (3-2, 3.59)

Kelly is making his fifth start of the season and he is coming off an impressive outing against Atlanta. He blanked the Braves on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings and took a no-decision in a 2-0 loss. Kelly is 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in 14 career innings against the Pirates.

Morton has won back-to-back outings to follow up a four-start winless stretch. He has pitched six innings or more in only three of his eight starts. Morton traditionally struggles against St. Louis with a 2-7 record and 6.17 ERA in 11 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. C Tony Cruz will draw most of the starting assignments while All-Star Yadier Molina (knee) is on the disabled list.

2. Wednesday’s victory was Pittsburgh’s 25th comeback win of the season.

3. Cardinals 1B/OF Allen Craig is 7-for-12 with two walks against Morton.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Cardinals 4