Pirates and Cardinals conclude series with Sunday matinee
The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals play the final game of their series at Busch Stadium on Sunday. Braxton Ashcraft starts for Pittsburgh, while Matthew Liberatore takes the mound for St. Louis. Key hitters include Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe for the Pirates, and Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker for the Cardinals.
Both clubs enter the finale separated by just two games in the NL Central standings, making the series outcome meaningful for divisional positioning. Pittsburgh's Ashcraft has enjoyed a strong season with 13 wins, while St. Louis' Liberatore has struggled to a 5-12 record, giving the Pirates a clear edge on the mound.
Offensive production is concentrated in a handful of bats. Pittsburgh's Lowe ranks among MLB leaders in home runs and RBIs, while St. Louis counters with Burleson and Walker, both top-three in RBIs league-wide. Reynolds adds a perfect stolen-base record, giving the Pirates additional baserunning threat.
This late-season matchup between two sub-.500 teams carries modest but real consequences for their fan bases. A series win could provide momentum and a small boost in the standings, potentially influencing postseason hopes and local