THE BULLPEN

Hey batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates begin a HUGE 3-game set with St  Louie tonight at PNC Park. The Pirates trail St Louie by 1 game in the NL Central standings and need to get back in the win column. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)St Louie has won 12 of their last 17. The Pirates are 12-14 in the month of August. However, and this is a big "however", the Pirates are 8-5 against St Louie this season. Tonight's a good night to feast on some wings. Clip the Cardinals! 2)St Louie is the league-leader in runs, on base percentage and batting average with runners in scoring position. The Pirates are second in the Majors in ERA and BAA and 6th in WHIP. Somethings got to give. Shut down St Louie! 3)The Pirates dropped 2 of 3 to Milwaukee, losing last night's game in shutout fashion, 4-0. Were they too busy peaking at the schedule? Perhaps. There's no more looking ahead now. The Pirates hold their destiny in their hands. Raise the Jolly Roger with a ton of Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!