Yes both teams are slumping but the Cards have played just six of 23 games at home where they are 4-2. Pittsburgh is 3-11 the last 14 as last year is looking more and more like the perfect storm of success. At home, the Birds batting average and OBP of .285 and .356.

Neither pitcher has been all that great and is Gerrit Cole for real or part of the one-year wonder that is the Pirates? Cole is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two road starts after going 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA in seven last year.

Cardinals are 47-15 in their last 62 home games vs. a right-handed starter. They are 6-1 at home in the series.