The St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series that begins on Tuesday. The Pirates currently have a three-game lead over the second place Cardinals, proving this series will be just as important for the Bucs as it will be for the Cardinals. A three-game swing either way would be crushing for both sides. Here are previews with pitching matchups for each game. 

The Pirates are 70-47, while the Cardinals are 67-50. Both teams are playoff contenders, but both teams are fighting for the N.L. Central pennant. Nobody wants to risk entering through the Wild Card, which will simply enter a team into a one-game feud for further advancement into the playoffs. The Pirates have gone ice cold after going on a five-game winning streak. They were swept by the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series over the weekend. The Cardinals saw slightly better results as they were at least able to win the final game against the Cubs.

The last time these two met, well, it was fairly recent. Two weeks ago, they hooked up for a five-game series. The Pirates wound up taking the first four games, eventually taking control of the division. The Cardinals stepped up big time to win the final game in blowout fashion, 13-0. However, since that series, the Pirates have been enjoying first place. 

Maybe for the Cardinals, playing at home will bring them some luck. The Pirates are only 29-27 on the road this year. The Cardinals enjoy playing at home, as any top team in the league should, going 34-22 at Busch Stadium. Can they overcome their last series' debacle against the Pirates? There will be three great pitching matchups taking place in this series. Here they are.

Pitching Matchups
Tuesday: Charlie Morton (4-3, 3.88 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (13-7, 2.66 ERA)

Wednesday: Francisco Liriano (12-5, 2.83 ERA) vs. Shelby Miller (11-7, 2.89 ERA)

Thursday: A.J. Burnett (5-8, 2.95 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (13-6, 3.79 ERA)