Pirates @ Cardinals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Pirates (71-71)

@ St. Louis Cardinals (79-64)

Starting Pitchers:

Musgrove (PIT): 6-8; 3.75 ERA

Mikolas (STL) 14-4; 3.06 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Pittsburgh Pirates: 6-4

St. Louis Cardinals: 5-5

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Pirates: (+130)

St. Louis Cardinals: (-140)

• The St. Louis Cardinals increased their lead in the National League wild-card race by winning the series opener and strive to take another step on Tuesday, when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates for the middle contest of their three-game set. St. Louis posted an 8-7 victory on Monday and owns a two-game lead over Los Angeles for the second wild card after the Dodgers lost to Cincinnati. Matt Adams drilled a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning, giving the 30-year-old – who was acquired from Washington three weeks ago – has recorded three blasts and seven RBIs over his last four contests. The hot-hitting Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and is 12-for-26 with five homers and seven RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.

• Pittsburgh had its five-game winning streak halted as it allowed two four-run innings on Monday after giving up a total of 10 runs during its string of victories. Starling Marte hit a two-run homer for the Pirates to equal his career high of 19 while Josh Harrison and Colin Moran belted solo shots.

• Musgrove defeated Cincinnati in his last turn as he gave up two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has issued just two walks in 36 1/3 frames over his last six starts while recording 34 strikeouts. Musgrove is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against St. Louis this season and has struggled with Ozuna (3-for-6).

• Mikolas gave up 12 hits for the second time in three starts when he defeated Washington in his last turn after allowing four runs over 6 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old has won six of his last seven decisions, with the loss coming against the Pirates on Aug. 29 as he gave up two runs and eight hits over five innings. Mikolas is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in four starts against Pittsburgh this year and 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA in six career appearances, including two in relief.

• Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong has gone 3-for-9 with two walks, two runs scored and one RBI in three games since returning from a hamstring injury.

• Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell is 5-for-10 with three walks, two homers, four RBIs and four runs scored over his last three games.

• St. Louis RHP Michael Wacha (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list and is done for the season.