REDBIRDS back to the scene of the CRIME playing better Hardball than the BUCCOS...CARDS @ PIRATES from the 'Burgh in the Battle for 1st Place in the NL CENTRAL..."WEEKEND BENDERS" Will the Real NL Central Leader stand up! #CARDSbiz #PIRATESbiz

It doesn't get any better than this as the St. Louis Cardinals are back at PNC Park with a game lead as the last time they arrived they left with half a backside left. Playing way better Hardball at this point the Pirates need to step it up as they have been struggling to say the least. Buccos Young Arms like Locke and Cole have seemingly hit that Wall and the Pirated need more than Liriano and Burnett down the stretch. The Redbirds will get the edge in the NL Central heading into September because they have Quality Arms on the hill. This is gut-check time for the Buccos playing at home and in the ditch playing bad baseball.

REDBIRDS @ BUCCOS...A Three-Piece NL Central Treat

August 30, 2013 7:05pm ET
STL Miller (12-8) vs PIT Liriano (14-6)

August 31, 2013 7:05pm ET
STL Lynn (13-8) vs PIT Burnett (6-9)

September 1, 2013 1:35pm ET
ATL TBD vs PIT TBD and welcome to the Cat/Mouse Game

The Cards will go with Miller and Lynn versus Liriano who in his last outing was lit up and a better than 6-9 A.J. Burnett. Sunday's match up might be predicated on what either teams does on Friday and Saturday. After those two arms the Pirates need Cole and Locke to step up mightily. The Redbirds have Wainright and Kelly among others waiting in the wings.

Hitting Stars in this one...

REDBIRDS

C Y. Molina .333 avg 37 Doubles
1B Craig .317 avg  96 RBI
RF Beltran .310 avg 23 HR
2B Carpenter 100 Runs 43 Doubles

PIRATES

3B "El Toro" Alvarez 32 HR 86 RBI
CF "Cutch 22" .323 avg 74 RBI 81 Runs 33 Doubles
LF Marte 79 Runs 10 Triples 25 Doubles

Note: Numbers and Schedule from MLB.com