The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates square up for a three-game series that couldn't have taken place at a better time. Only one game divides the first-place Cardinals and second-place Pirates. Will this series leave is with more questions than answers or will a division leader surface from this series? Check out the live stream, which allows you to watch the game online. If that doesn't work for you, check out the live scoring updates also provided.

Now, for the pitching matchups.

The Cardinals are problably not too happy about this, but they have to face Francisco Liriano once again. He threw a complete game in their last meeting, allowing one run on four hits while walking one and record six strikeouts. However, if there's any good news for the Cardinals it's that one of the league's worst teams, the San Francisco Giants, managed four runs off the southpaw.

Not only has Liriano been a revelation for the Pirates, but he's pitched well against the teams that matter most. Well, don't count his 0-3 record against the Cincinnati Reds, but Liriano is 2-0 against the Cardinals this season, allowing only two earned runs in 16 innings pitched.

If there's any way to comfort the Cardinals and their fan base, just tell them youngster, Shelby Miller will be taking the hit for the red birds. Liriano is 14-6 with a 2.74 ERA. Miller isn't far off and this is just his rookie season.

Miller was extremely dominant in his last start, pitching seven innings of one-run baseball against the Atlanta Braves. However, Cardinal fans might quickly remember that Miller lost to the Pirates in his last start against them where he faced Liriano. He went six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits.

May the best team win. The Cardinals are 78-55, while the Pirates are 77-56 entering Friday's game.

Click here for the live stream, which is provided by MLB.TV at a cost.

Click here for the scoring updates, which is provided by MLB GameDay for free.