The St. Louis Cardinals are quietly in the lead with the best record in baseball. A solid pitching staff and big hitting lineup have St. Louis leading the major leagues. With a 40-21 season record, the Cardinals pitching is what is making them successful. The team has compiled the lowest ERA in the league with 3.16. Their starters have combined for a 2.63 ERA.

Friday night was another example as Adam Wainwright took the field about the Cincinnati Reds. He gave up just two runs and recorded seven strikeouts in the 9-2 win. The Cardinals have been dominant over the Reds in recent games. They have won the last nine of 13 against their division rivals. 

St. Louis is not only getting it done on the mound, but they productive at the plate as well. The team is hitting .304 with 19 home runs during a 12-5 stretch. They recorded 16 hits on Friday alone. David Freese currently owns the longest hitting streak in the major leagues with 17 games. He drove in two runs on Friday night. Matt Carpenter owns a 16-game hit streak. 

Cincinnati will send Mat Latos to the mound in hopes of cooling down the Cardinals. He is 5-0 on the season with a 2.90 ERA. He has gone 12 innings against the Cardinals this season, allowing just four runs total. 

The Cardinals will give Tyler Lyons the start. He is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA. The rookie gave up four guns in six innings during his first major league loss. He did win his last two road starts, giving up just one run in each game.

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