This is an 8* play on the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals are trying to hold off the Pirates in the NL Central, currently holding a five game lead over second place Pittsburgh. They boast the best home record in the majors, going 40-16 at Busch Stadium so far.

Carlos Martinez will toe the slab for St. Louis, and he's having a stellar season. Martinez (11-4, 2.57 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits over five innings, not factoring in the decision in a 4-3 win at Cincinnati his last time out. He's 5-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 10 starts at home this season.

The Pirates hand the ball to Jeff Locke, who has been getting rocked on the road. Locke (6-6, 4.31 ERA) allowed four runs on four hits, including a pair of home runs in five innings in a no decision versus the Cubs his last time out. He's 3-3 with an ugly 6.43 ERA in eight starts on the road in 2015.

The Pirates are 16-36 in the last 52 meetings in St. Louis.

Take STL.

GL,

Jesse Schule