The Pittsburgh Pirates split a doubleheader with the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday. The Pirates won the opener 8-2. Gerrit Cole won his 19th game of the season, allowing two earned runs over seven innings. Francisco Cervelli hit a grand slam. St. Louis won the nightcap 11-1. Pirate starter Charlie Morton lasted just two innings. The second game victory by the Cardinals, allowed them to clinch the National League Central Division. The win was their 100th of the season.
After falling out of the National League Central race on Wednesday, the Pirates will turn their attention on Friday toward securing home-field advantage for next week’s win-or-go-home date with the Cubs.
The Bucs and Reds will wrap up the regular season this weekend at PNC Park, kicking off a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday night.
The Pirates still lead the Cubs by 2 1/2 games in the Wild Card standings.
The two clubs will meet October 7th in the NL Wild Card Game. The Pirate starter Friday is Francisco Liriano. The Bucs have won 15 of his last 16 starts.
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