This is undoubtebly the best series of the week. Heck, it might be the best of the month. Watch the online live stream of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:05 p.m. ET.
The Cardinals are looking to bounce back following a three-game sweep in their series weekend against the Atlanta Braves. They continue their road trip and will now play a crucial five-game series against their division rival Pirates, who are just trailing them by 1.5 games in the N.L. Central. The second place Pirates are surprising many as they are just one game from being 20 games over .500.
The Pirates just don't want to advance to the playoffs. They would love to win the division and bring postseason baseball back to the city of Pittsburgh. The Pirates have great pitching and young hitters in their lineup.
Francisco Liriano will take his 10-4 record to the mound and will look to improve on his 2.23 ERA. The Cardinals were held to only three runs in Atlanta and facing Liriano could be a tough task if Liriano's mechanics are not working accordingly. When Liriano opens up his shoulder and doesn't have his legs under him, he tends to be all over the place, which results into many walks. However, when he stays back and allows his legs to power him through his motion, Liriano's has pinpoint location.
The Cardinals will hope that Jake Westbrook can continue his dominant pitching. He's 7-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 14 starts this season. Westbrook has yet to allow more than three earned runs in the month of July where he is 3-1. He will look to close out July with another victory.