Cardinals, Pirates Meet in NL Central Showdown

The Chicago Cubs have run away with the NL Central, which means the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals have to chase a wild card spot if they want to make the playoffs. The two teams meet in the final of a three-game series on Wednesday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals will go with Alex Reyes (1-0, 1.35 ERA), who took a no-decision in a 3-2 loss in Cincinnati. Reyes went six innings in his second major-league start, allowing a pair of runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. On the road this season, Reyes is 1-0 in four games (one start) with a 1.50 ERA. This will be the first time the 22-year-old righthander faces the Pirates in his career.

The Pirates counter with Jameson Taillon (3-4, 3.25 ERA), who was unlucky to take the loss in his last outing when his team fell 1-0 at home to Milwaukee. Taillon went six innings, giving up a run on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. So far, Taillon is 1-2 in eight home starts this season with an ERA of 2.70. This is the first time that he’ll face the Cardinals.