The Cardinals continue their four-game home series against the Pirates on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
St. Louis has won the first two. The Cardinals held on Tuesday after shutting out the Pirates in Monday’s opener.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (13-9, 3.75) will be on the mound for the Cardinals on Wednesday.
Gray has made good starts in each of his last three outings and expressed optimism after his last start that he was close to being “really good.”
During that three-game span, he held his opponents to a batting average of .136.
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The Pirates will counter with right-hander and former Cardinal Jake Woodford (0-6, 8.01).
Woodford played in 80 games for the Cardinals from 2020-2023. He was not signed by the Cardinals in November, making him a free agent. Woodford made two starting appearances for the White Sox before being designated for assignment and signed by Pittsburgh.
Woodford has a 0-4 record with a 6.95 ERA in six games with Pittsburgh this year, including four as a starter. He is being called up to the Pirates from Triple-A.
Before the game, the Cardinals placed pitcher Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) on the 15-day injured list and recalled pitcher Michael McGreevy from Triple-A Memphis, ending Lynn’s season.
The Cardinals are 76-75, third in the NL Central and seven games out of the last wild card spot. St. Louis is mathematically eliminated and can no longer catch division leader Milwaukee.
The Pirates are in last place in the NL Central at 71-80 and are 16-27 since the beginning of August.
Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz remains out with an ankle injury sustained in the Bucs’ previous series. Cruz was a pinch-hitter on Tuesday but has not started in this series.
Lineups
1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
Injury report
Willson Contreras (broken finger): The catcher broke the middle finger of his right hand on a pitch on August 24, and after an examination by team doctors on Monday, his season is effectively over. He has been ordered to remain inactive for two more weeks to continue the healing process, and that means he will not be able to play during the regular season, which ends in September. Updated on September 17
Lance Lynn (inflammation of right knee): The veteran’s season ended Wednesday, a day after he pitched six strong innings to earn a win over Pittsburgh and remain undefeated at Busch since July 2017. His contract includes a $12 million option for 2025, but factors are mounting that would lead the Cardinals to decline it. Updated on September 18
Cardinals starter Lance Lynn speaks to the media after a game against the Pirates at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Video by Ethan Erickson, Post-Dispatch)
