The Cardinals begin a road series Monday against the Pirates. First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m. Ƶ time.
Right-hander Andre Pallante (4-4, 4.21) will take the mound for the Cardinals. In eight starts since joining the rotation in late May, Pallante has a 3.70 ERA with the Cardinals prevailing in five of those games.
His average exit velocity of 86.6 mph is one of the lowest figures allowed in baseball this year.
The Pirates will counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (10-5, 3.46). In two starts against Ƶ this year, Keller has a 7.36 ERA.
Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds is batting .359 with a 1.023 OPS in July.
For the Cardinals, Alec Burleson's 1.042 July OPS leads the way. He's hitting .358 this month.
The Cardinals have won four of their six meetings with Pittsburgh this year, taking two of three both at Pittsburgh and in Ƶ.
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The Pirates visit Ƶ for four games in mid-September in the teams' lone remaining meeting after this series.
The Cardinals are 52-47, second in the NL Central and five games out of first. Ƶ won two of three in Atlanta over the weekend.
The Pirates are 50-49, third in the NL Central, and two games behind the Cardinals. A loss Sunday to Philadelphia snapped the Pirates' six-game win streak.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, RF
3. Willson Contreras, DH
4. Brendan Donovan, LF
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Lars Nootbaar, CF
7. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
8. Nolan Gorman, 2B
9. Pedro Pagés, C
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
PIRATES
1. Andrew McCutchen, DH
2. Bryan Reynolds, LF
3. Oneil Cruz, SS
4. Nick Gonzales, 2B
5. Rowdy Tellez, 1B
6. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B
7. Jack Suwinski, CF
8. Connor Joe, RF
9. Joey Bart, C
P: Mitch Keller, RHP
Injury report
Tommy Edman (wrist surgery): After reporting to Class AA Springfield on Tuesday to resume his rehab assignment, Edman will take groundballs, participate in batting practice, and test his sore ankle with running drills. If he responds well to that and the ankle soreness that has delayed his rehab games abates, he'll start at designated hitter for the S-Cardinals on Wednesday. Edman has not yet appeared in the majors this season due to offseason wrist surgery. Updated July 22
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon): Reliever is set for his second rehab appearance with Class AAA Memphis on Tuesday. He made the first appearance Saturday with an inning of work. He allowed two walks and struck out two. His fastball traveled consistently between 95 mph and 97 mph, and he initially reported feeling good after his first game appearance since the first week of the regular season. Updated July 22
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness): Matz threw his second bullpen session Saturday after resuming his throwing program. He is doing his workouts at Busch Stadium. Matz is looking toward an August return, if possible. Updated July 19