Pittsburgh @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 1

Pittsburgh is using a nasty bullpen to stay ahead of San Francisco and St. Louis in the NL wild card race as the Pirates aim for their first postseason berth in 20 years. The Pirates go for a third straight win when their weekend series with the Cardinals resumes Saturday at Busch Stadium. In Friday’s 2-1 win, which evened the season series at five apiece, Jason Grilli pitched a perfect eighth inning for his NL-best 27th hold. Closer Joel Hanrahan earned his NL-leading 34th save in 37 opportunities.

St. Louis’ normally potent offense has banged out just 10 hits in the last two games, both losses. The defeats followed a surge in which the Cardinals won 15 of 18 home games. St. Louis is 2-2 on its nine-game homestand. Several players are slumping - but not first baseman Allen Craig, who’s hit in seven straight with five doubles and a homer in that streak.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Erik Bedard (7-12, 4.56 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (13-5, 3.65)

Bedard has gone five or fewer innings in two of his past four starts, but overall is holding batters to a .253 average. Bedard was tagged for five earned runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings July 1 in St. Louis as the Pirates lost 5-4. He’s 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals.

Apparently wearing down, Lynn has eight earned runs in his last two starts covering 11 innings. The Cardinals have lost his last three starts. Pittsburgh lit him up for six earned runs in five innings of a 7-3 loss June 30. He’s 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA in four career appearances against the Pirates.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina has missed three straight games with a sore back.

2. St. Louis 3B David Freese has snapped out of his slump, going 5-for-12 with a homer, double and two RBIs in the last three games.

3. Pirates 1B Garrett Jones is 8-for-17 with 10 RBIs over his last five games.