The set-up: This series features a number of competitive match ups on the mound and this is one of them. For a number of different reasons though, I think this one favors the Cardinals. The visitors go with Jon Gray on the hill, while the home side goes with Joe Flaherty.

The pitchers: Gray is so far 8-7 with a 5.16 ERA. He most recently gave up two runs off one hit while striking out six over seven innings in a no-decision to Houston on Wednesday. Gray's looked sharp in consecutive starts since being called back up from a stint in the minors, but note that he's still just 3-4 with a 5.89 ERA on the road this year.

Flaherty is so far 4-5 with a 3.28 ERA. Most recently he gave up three runs off four hits and two walks while striking out eight over five innings in a loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday. Flaherty hasn't been perfect this year, but he's been at his best at home with a 3.08 ERA so far this season.

The pick: I think Gray comes back down to Earth with another poor effort on the road, while there's no reason not to think that Flaherty won't be able to carry over his recent momentum, especially in friendly confines. The price is right, play on St. Louis.