Pittsburgh @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2018 ) Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 5

The St. Louis Cardinals used a near-perfect road trip to seize the first wild-card spot in the National League and hope to strengthen their hold with a strong homestand. St. Louis began the string with a solid victory and aim for another when it hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for the second contest of their three-game series.

The Cardinals scored twice in the first inning of the series opener and never looked back, rolling to a 5-2 triumph to move 1 1/2 games ahead of NL Central rival Milwaukee in the wild-card standings. Jose Martinez and rookie Tyler O'Neill belted two-run homers on Tuesday for St. Louis, which was back home following a 5-1 road trip. The Cardinals have won 20 of their 25 games this month after a 6-7 showing during their final 13 contests of July. Colin Moran went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the series opener for the Pirates, who have lost six of their last seven games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (10-9, 3.44 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (13-3, 2.94)

Williams has been superb of late, allowing a total of four runs over his last seven starts and recording four scoreless outings in that span. The 26-year-old Californian is just 4-2 in that stretch, however, and is coming off a no-decision against Atlanta last Wednesday in which he gave up one run and two hits over six innings. Williams has struggled versus St. Louis, going 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA in five turns this season and 2-4 with a 6.93 mark in 10 career appearances (seven starts).

Mikolas escaped Colorado on Friday with a no-decision after surrendering five runs and 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old Floridian is riding a 10-start unbeaten streak but has recorded only five victories since losing to Atlanta on June 29. Mikolas has yet to defeat Pittsburgh this season, settling for a pair of no-decisions before suffering one of his three losses on June 1 despite allowing just two runs - one earned - and six hits in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals placed 2B Kolten Wong (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled 3B Patrick Wisdom from Triple-A Memphis.

2. Pittsburgh INF Josh Harrison reportedly has cleared waivers and may be traded before Friday's deadline.

3. St. Louis removed the interim tag and named Mike Shildt its permanent manager.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Pirates 3