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The Pittsburgh Pirates will open a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium Thursday night at 7:45 p.m.

The Pirates are off to an impressive 7-5 start, having not posted a winning season since 2018. The club is one game back of the Milwaukee Brewers (8-4) in first place in the National League Central.

The Cardinals are trying to dig themselves out of an early hole they have gotten themselves into. Entering the season as heavy favorites to repeat as National League Central champions, the Cardinals are off to a 5-7 start, three games back of the Brewers for the division lead.

Vince Velasquez (0-2, 9.82 ERA) will make his third start of the season for the Pirates. The Pirates signed Velasquez to a one-year deal in December.

Jordan Montgomery (2-0, 2.25 ERA) will take the mound for the Cardinals, in his third start of the 2023 season. The Cardinals acquired Montgomery in exchange for center fielder Harrison Bader moments before the August 2 trade deadline last summer.

Here's a look at how the Pirates will line up against the Cardinals Thursday night:

1) 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

2) RF Andrew McCutchen

3) DH Carlos Santana

4) 1B Ji-Man Choi

5) LF Connor Joe

6) SS Rodolfo Castro

7) 2B Mark Mathias

8) CF Ji-Hwan Bae

9) C Jason Delay

SP Vince Velasquez

Here's a look at how the Cardinals will line up against the Pirates Thursday night:

1) 2B Brendan Donovan

2) LF Alec Burleson

3) 1B Paul Goldschmidt

4) 3B Nolan Arenado

5) C Willson Contreras

6) DH Nolan Gorman

7) CF Tyler O'Neill

8) RF Jordan Walker

9) SS Tommy Edman

SP Jordan Montgomery

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