THE BULLPEN

One, two, three strikes, you're out! Your first-place Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their series against the St Louie Cardinals this afternoon at PNC Park. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Pirates are 10-5 versus St Louie this season. In taking the first two games in this series, the Bucs have outscored the Red Birds 12-1. Keep bringing the Hit, Run, & Score! 2)St Louie starts RH Joe Kelly today. Kelly is 6-3 with a 2.91 ERA. The last time the Pirates faced Kelly, they were trounced 13-0. Of course the Pirates will have a new look today after acquiring OF Marlon Byrd, C John Buck and 1B Justin Morneau this week. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him BIG! 3)The Pirates have won 3 of their last 4 and go for the sweep of St Louie today. Break out the brooms, it's time to clean house! Woop, woop, woop! Time for another Standings Alert: With last night's 7-1 victory over St Louie, the Pirates have sole-possession of first place in the NL Central. Cincy won and remains 3.5 games back. We're down the home stretch with a record of 79-56 and a mere 27 games to go. Get ready to hoist the colors! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!