St. Louis @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) St. Louis 1, Pittsburgh 7
The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to complete a sweep and increase their division lead when they host the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of their three-game set Sunday. Pittsburgh regained a share of first place in the National League Central with a series-opening triumph on Friday and took sole possession of the top spot with a convincing victory the following night. The Pirates could have a new face in the lineup as slugger Justin Morneau, who was acquired from Minnesota earlier in the day, joined the club midway through Saturday's contest.
Pittsburgh outscored St. Louis 12-1 over the first two contests and owns a 10-5 record in the season series. Russell Martin belted a three-run homer, Neil Walker collected three hits and an RBI and A.J. Burnett tossed seven strong innings and drove in a run in Saturday's 7-1 win. The Cardinals have lost three consecutive games, scoring a total of one run while allowing 22.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (6-3, 2.91 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Kris Johnson (0-1, 3.00)
Kelly is unbeaten since joining the rotation on July 6, going 6-0 with a 2.24 ERA in nine starts and allowing fewer than two earned runs on six occasions. The 25-year-old won his third straight start on Tuesday, when he yielded one run on eight hits over six innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Kelly is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six career games - two starts - versus Pittsburgh, including a triumph on Aug. 1 in which he tossed six scoreless frames.
Johnson will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his first major-league start. The 28-year-old made his debut in the big leagues on Aug. 18 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking the loss after allowing two runs and five hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings of relief. Johnson posted a 10-4 record and 2.39 ERA with one complete game and two saves in 26 games - 21 starts - with Indianapolis.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kelly has worked more than six frames just once in his 10 starts this season but has yet to get through the seventh inning.
2. Morneau was obtained from the Twins for OF Alex Presley and either cash or a player to be named. He's the third addition to the roster this week, joining OF Marlon Byrd and C John Buck.
3. Pittsburgh (79-56) is three victories away from its first winning season since 1992.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Pirates 4