While there's not much on the line, Sunday's series finale at San Francisco brings the last Cardinals regular-season game for 179 days. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m.
A series win is at stake after St. Louis won the opener and the Giants took advantage of a Cardinals error to win Saturday.
The Cardinals, with a win and a Cubs loss, can still finish tied for second. The Giants would avoid a losing season with a win Sunday.
Sunday also brings another look at the future as rookie right-hander Michael McGreevy (2-0, 2.40) will take the mound for the Cardinals in hopes of continuing his promising start.
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He allowed three earned runs in five innings at Colorado in his last start. Sunday will be McGreevy's third career start and fourth appearance.
While the Cardinals will send out the California kid in McGreevy, the Giants will turn to an Illinois native.
Rookie right-hander Hayden Birdsong (5-5, 4.66), an Eastern Illinois University product and the best MLB player ever to be born in Mattoon, Illinois, starts for San Francisco.
Birdsong's hard-hit rate is among the worst in baseball.
The Cardinals are 82-79, third in the NL Central and a game behind the Cubs for second.
The Giants are 80-81, fourth in the NL West. This season will be the team's eighth non-winning season in the last nine. San Francisco can still avoid a third straight losing record.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, 2B
2. Alec Burleson, LF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, DH
4. Lars Nootbaar, CF
5. Matt Carpenter, 1B
6. Jordan Walker, RF
7. Thomas Saggese, SS
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. José FermÃn, 3B
P: Michael McGreevy, RHP
GIANTS
1. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
2. Jerar Encarnacion, LF
3. LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B
4. Matt Chapman, 3B
5. Michael Conforto, DH
6. Tyler Fitzgerald, SS
7. Brett Wisely, 2B
8. Curt Casali, C
9. Grant McCray, CF
P: Hayden Birdsong, RHP
Injury report
Willson Contreras (fractured finger):Ìý°Õ³ó±ð catcher fractured the middle finger on his right hand when struck by a pitch Aug. 24, and his season is effectively over following an exam Sept. 17 with team medical officials. He is nearing the end of a two-week period of inactivity just as the Cardinals' season comes to a close, though he's remained around the team. Updated Sept. 25
Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation):Ìý°Õ³ó±ð veteran's season came to an end Sept. 18, a day after he pitched six strong innings to pick up a win over Pittsburgh and remain unbeaten at Busch since July 2017. His contract has a $12-million option for 2025, though factors are stacking up that would lead the Cardinals to decline it. Updated Sept. 18
Sonny Gray (right forearm flexor tendinitis): Gray was placed on the IL Saturday, the morning after the Cardinals were officially eliminated from the playoffs, ending his first season with the team with eight games remaining. Gray said he could've pitched through the issue if a playoff berth was in reach, adding that it won't impact his offseason approach. Updated Sept. 21
JoJo Romero (left forearm flexor inflammation): The reliever was placed on the IL Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday, ending his season. An MRI taken of his arm did not reveal any structural issues that will require immediate attention, and the lefty has been prescribed rest. He was having difficulty recovering after appearances. Updated Sept. 25