Erick Fedde, Cardinals aim for 4-game sweep of slumping Pirates: First Pitch
The Cardinals wrap up a four-game home series Thursday against the Pirates with eyes on a series sweep. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m.
The Redbirds' offense exploded for 10 runs Wednesday in a rally that provided what the team hopes is a glimpse of the future .
Right-hander Erick Fedde (8-9, 3.45) will take the mound Thursday for the Cardinals.
At 1-5 with a 4.43 ERA since coming to St. Louis at the trade deadline, Fedde's numbers have seen a significant decline vs. his White Sox tally.
On average, batters are hitting the ball 2 miles per hour faster and elevating it 5 degrees more vs. Fedde during his stint with St. Louis vs. his time this year with Chicago.
The Pirates will counter with right-hander Luis Ortiz (6-6, 3.45), a 25-year-old Dominican who moved to the Bucs' rotation in late June.
He has faced St. Louis just once this year, out of the bullpen on July 2, when he gave up a run in two innings.
Since the start of August, he has a 4.70 ERA and the Pirates are 2-6 in those games.
The Cardinals are 77-75, tied for second in the division, though Milwaukee has already clinched the title. St. Louis is seven games out of the last wild-card spot.
With their 10-run outburst Wednesday, the Cardinals scored more than four runs for just the second time in their last 12 games.
The Pirates, losers of five of six, are 71-81 and last in the NL Central. They've committed an error in six straight games, the longest active error streak in baseball. Pittsburgh has lost five straight at Busch.
The Pirates are 16-28 since Aug. 1.
8. Pedro Pagés, C
P: Erick Fedde, RHP
To be updated
P: Luis Ortiz, RHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured finger): The catcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Aug. 24 , and his season is effectively over following an exam Monday with team medical officials. He was prescribed another two weeks of inactivity to continue the healing process, and that assures he will not be able to play during the regular season, which ends when September does. Updated Sept. 17
Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation): The veteran's season came to an end Wednesday , a day after he pitched six strong innings to pick up a win over Pittsburgh and remain unbeaten at Busch since July 2017. His contract has a $12-million option for 2025, though factors are stacking up that would lead the Cardinals to decline it. Updated Sept. 18
