Two just-above-.500 teams still harboring faint playoff hopes face off when the Cardinals begin a home series Friday against the Mariners. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
The Cardinals, who haven't lost a series since mid-August, still have a slim chance at a wild-card berth. Seattle, after a midseason swoon, lost its grip on the division lead but still has an outside chance at reclaiming that top spot in the AL West
In Friday's opener, right-hander Erick Fedde (8-8, 3.43)will take the mound for the Cardinals.
Just one of Fedde's six starts with Ƶ have been quality. He's given up four or more earned runs in half of his starts here since coming over at the trade deadline.
Four of his six Cardinals starts have come away from Busch Stadium.
Though his underlying stats are similar, Fedde's ERA with the Cardinals (4.64) is significantly higher than his White Sox mark (3.11).
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The Mariners will counter with right-hander Bryce Miller (10-8, 3.30), a 26-year-old in his second big-league season.
Miller's four-seamer, which he throws 42.8% of the time, has been one of the better fastballs in the game. Batters are hitting .186 against it.
The Cardinals are 71-69, third in the NL Central and 10 games out of first. Ƶ, which has won six of eight, is five games out of the final wild-card spot. Atlanta and New York are tied for that last spot, with Chicago a game ahead of the Cardinals.
The Mariners are 71-70, second in the AL West and 4 1/2 games out of first. Seattle went 3-4 to start the road trip vs. the Angels and Athletics before heading to Ƶ.
Julio Rodriguez, an All-Star each of his first two seasons in the league, has regressed this year and has been roughly league average offensively. Two years ago, during Rodriguez's rookie season, the Mariners signed him to a 12-year deal that guarantees him $210 million.
This will be his first visit to Busch Stadium.
In mid-June, the Mariners had a 10-game lead in the division. They went 20-33 over the next two months, culminating with the dismissal last month of manager Scott Servais, who was in his ninth season.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Alec Burleson, DH
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Brendan Donovan, 2B
6. Lars Nootbaar, LF
7. Jordan Walker, RF
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Erick Fedde, RHP
MARINERS
1. Victor Robles, RF
2. Julio Rodríguez, CF
3. Cal Raleigh, C
4. Randy Arozarena, LF
5. Luke Raley, 1B
6. Justin Turner, DH
7. J.P. Crawford, SS
8. Dylan Moore, 2B
9. Josh Rojas, 3B
P: Bryce Miller, RHP
Injury report
Lance Lynn (knee strain):Veteran right-hander recovered well from his 80-pitch outing for Class AAA Memphis on Sept. 1. The Cardinals have him slated to start Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.Updated Sept. 6
Willson Contreras (fractured finger):Thecatcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Aug. 24. He will have three weeks of no impact then he can begin a progression. There's not much wiggle room for a possible return. The injury could end his season.Updated Aug. 27