The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up another home date at PNC Park on Tuesday, September 22, when they welcome the St. Louis Cardinals for a 6:40 PM ET first pitch. Jared Jones gets the ball for Pittsburgh opposite St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the standings, and the Bucs will be leaning on one of their most compelling young arms to deliver in front of the home crowd. Catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh or Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.

Probable Starters: Jared Jones vs. Andre Pallante

Jared Jones is the headliner here, and for good reason. The young Pittsburgh right-hander has been one of the most intriguing pitchers in the organization, and a late-September start gives him a prime opportunity to close out his season on a strong note before PNC Park empties for the offseason. The Pirates are banking on Jones to keep the Cardinals' lineup off-balance and give the bullpen a break.

Pallante takes the hill for St. Louis. The Cardinals' righty is a ground-ball-oriented pitcher who works the zone and relies on contact management rather than strikeout dominance. Pittsburgh's lineup will need to be patient and make him work deep into counts to create opportunities.

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• 1. Konnor Griffin, SS
• 2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
• 3. Bryan Reynolds, LF
• 4. Oneil Cruz, CF
• 5. Rafael Flores Jr., C
• 6. Ryan O'Hearn, DH
• 7. Ronny Simon, RF
• 8. Spencer Horwitz, 1B
• 9. Jacob Gonzalez, 3B

St. Louis Cardinals Starting Lineup

• 1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B
• 2. Iván Herrera, DH
• 3. Alec Burleson, 1B
• 4. Jordan Walker, RF
• 5. Leo Bernal, C
• 6. Bryan Torres, LF
• 7. Thomas Saggese, 3B
• 8. Nathan Church, CF
• 9. Masyn Winn, SS

Keys to Watch in This Matchup

Oneil Cruz's Impact Batting Fourth

Cruz sliding into the cleanup spot in center field is a statement of trust from Pittsburgh's coaching staff. His combination of raw power and speed makes him a genuine run-producer in the middle of the order. If he gets a pitch to drive, the Cardinals will feel it. A big Cruz game changes the complexion of this one in a hurry.

Reynolds and Lowe Setting the Table

Bryan Reynolds batting third and Brandon Lowe hitting second gives Pittsburgh two legitimate on-base threats before Cruz gets his hacks. Pallante will need to navigate that stretch of the order carefully. If Reynolds and Lowe can work counts and get on base, Cruz and the bottom of the lineup have a chance to do real damage.

Jones Controlling the Cardinals' Middle of the Order

Jordan Walker batting fourth for St. Louis is the Cardinals' most dangerous bat in this lineup. Jones will need his best stuff to work around Walker and Alec Burleson hitting third. If Jones can limit the damage in those matchups and pitch efficiently into the later innings, Pittsburgh's bullpen shouldn't be overextended.

Wetherholt at the Top for St. Louis

JJ Wetherholt leading off for the Cardinals is a name Pittsburgh pitching will need to take seriously. A productive leadoff hitter can dictate the tone of an inning early, and Jones will want to set a firm tone right from the first at-bat of the game.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Pittsburgh at home. Jones has the talent to neutralize a St. Louis lineup that carries some youth in the bottom half, and the Pirates' order — with Cruz in the cleanup spot and Reynolds ahead of him — has enough punch to generate runs against a pitcher like Pallante. Give the edge to Pittsburgh in a 4-2 final. Jones goes six solid innings, Cruz does damage in the middle innings, and the Pirates close it out at PNC Park.