PITTSBURGH — In the moments after his Pirates lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series last October, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle talked about how his team had developed a competitive and respectful rivalry with their fellow National League Central opponent.
The series was as even as it could get last season as the teams split 24 games in the regular season and postseason. The Pirates won the regular-season series 10-9 and the Cardinals won three times to take the best-of-five NLDS.
The Pirates and Cardinals will renew their rivalry this weekend in a three-game series that begins Friday night in Pittsburgh. Right-hander Gerrit Cole will start for the Pirates against right-hander Shelby Miller.
On Saturday night, the Pirates will start left-hander Francisco Liriano against right-hander Joe Kelly. Lirinao pitched six shutout innings in Monday’s opener against the Chicago Cubs but did not receive a decision in a game the Pirates won 1-0 in 10 innings.
Right-hander Edinson Volquez will make his Pirates’ debut Sunday afternoon when he faces Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who pitched seven scoreless innings Monday in their opener against the Reds at Cincinnati.
Volquez was Pittsburgh’s most expensive offseason acquisition, signed to a one-year, $5-million contract as a free agent after going a combined 9-12 with a 5.71 ERA in 33 games with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
“We’re going to get to see the Cardinals a whole bunch this month, just like we’re going to see a whole lot of teams in the Central,” said Hurdle, whose team lost to the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Thursday. “They’re a good ballclub. They’ll be ready when they come in here and we’ll be ready for them.”