Pittsburgh @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2018 ) Pittsburgh 0, St. Louis 5

The Pittsburgh Pirates might have waited a little too long to begin their hot streak but still have time to play spoiler and play for pride. The Pirates will try to earn their sixth straight win and throw a wrench into the National League wild card race when they visit the NL Central-rival St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Pittsburgh is allowing an average of two runs during its five-game winning streak and had a chance at a sixth consecutive triumph washed out when Sunday's planned finale against the Miami Marlins was postponed. "It never doesn't matter, to finish strong and to play and to represent," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters. "Getting these young men up here and getting them engaged matters. Playing the game right, respecting the game, playing the game hard matters. It all goes hand-in-hand." The Cardinals are sitting in the No. 2 wild card spot in the NL but needed to pull out a 5-2 victory on Sunday at Detroit to avoid a three-game sweep against the Tigers. St. Louis will have to contend with budding Pirates ace Trevor Williams while introducing veteran Adam Wainwright back into the rotation.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00)

Williams has been one of the best pitchers in the majors over the last two months and allowed a total of four runs over his last nine starts. The Arizona State product scattered five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames against Cincinnati last Monday - the sixth time in the last nine outings that he did not yield a run. One of Williams' two losses in that span came at home against St. Louis on Aug. 5, when he was reached for two runs over five frames, but he tossed six scoreless innings at the Cardinals on Aug. 29.

Wainwright is making his first start since May 13 after spending the last three months on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. The 37-year-old made just four starts this season and issued a total of 14 walks in 18 innings. Wainwright made three appearances - two starts - against Pittsburgh in 2017 and was reached for a total of eight runs - seven earned - over 12 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco (left knee) will miss the remainder of the season.

2. Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez earned his second save on Sunday and was named the team's closer.

3. Pittsburgh 2B-OF Adam Frazier is 8-for-17 with six runs scored during the winning streak.

PREDICTION: Pirates 6, Cardinals 1