The Pittsburgh Pirates put an 8-2 beating on the Cards on Thursday. They're still averaging an MLB-worst 3.74 runs per game, and I don't see their bats making up for all the runs Wil Crowe (0-4, 6.42 ERA) is likely to give up.

St. Louis hands the ball to Kwang-hyun Kim (1-5, 3.60 ERA) who has allowed only two runs over 10 innings in his last two starts combined, and the left-hander has a posted a 2.66 ERA home at Busch Stadium on the season. Pittsburgh is averaging an abysmal 2.21 runs per nine innings against left-handers on the road.

8* play on St. Louis Cardinals.