MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00)
Williams has been one of the best pitchers in the majors over the last two months and allowed a total of four runs over his last nine starts. The Arizona State product scattered five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames against Cincinnati last Monday - the sixth time in the last nine outings that he did not yield a run. One of Williams' two losses in that span came at home against St. Louis on Aug. 5, when he was reached for two runs over five frames, but he tossed six scoreless innings at the Cardinals on Aug. 29.
Wainwright is making his first start since May 13 after spending the last three months on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. The 37-year-old made just four starts this season and issued a total of 14 walks in 18 innings. Wainwright made three appearances - two starts - against Pittsburgh in 2017 and was reached for a total of eight runs - seven earned - over 12 innings.
In 7 rehab starts Waino split between 3 diff teams he tossed 22 inn without giving up a run and k'd 25 with a 0.82 whip