Tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET the St. Louis Cardinals (70-59) will try to hang on to their spot as the second wildcard in the National League when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (67-63) in the first of a three-game set. Live stream the matchup by clicking this link; Cardinals fans can catch the radio broadcast on KMOX 1120, while Pirates fans may do likewise on KDKA-FM 93.7. The Cardinals will send John Lackey (1-1, 5.40 ERA) to the hill against Francisco Liriano (3-10, 4.18 ERA).
The Cardinals' bid for a division title took a hit yesterday when they fell to the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, failing to capitalize on a rousing 12th-inning win on Saturday.
"We're a team that doesn't give excuses," manager Mike Matheny said. "There was life. I didn't think we were dragging."
The Pirates also lost their last game, and may be biting their nails with Liriano toeing the rubber. A revelation last season, Liriano's turned in a dreadful 2014 campaign. His start on Tuesday was no exception, as he surrendered 10 hits and nine runs, seven of which were earned.
"I was missing my spot a lot, and it was one of those nights where everything I was throwing was going to get hit," Liriano said. "They've been pretty hot the last couple games -- last night, too. It was just one of those nights."
Liriano is refusing to be discouraged, however, telling reporters "I've got to put it behind me, got to move forward."
Lackey's ERA is deceiving-since joining the Cardinals he has posted a 5.40 Era, but the number is skewed by a brutal nine-run outing on August 9. In his other three starts for St. Louis, Lackey has gone at least six innings and given up just two earned runs.
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