Sunday: Ryan Vogelsong v Adam Wainwright, Lineup, Notes

Today: The end of the Bucco season begins at 3:15 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. St Louis may join the Pirates in bidding 2016 adieu; they're starting the day a game behind the Giants for the last wildcard spot. The Mets have clinched home field.

Pitchers: Ryan Vogelsong (3-7, 5.00) will close the season against Adam Wainwright (12-9, 4.57). We know Vogey's story: since August 31st, he's gotten six starts, gone 0-4 and given up 28 runs (26 earned) in 26-2/3 IP. Waino has been marginally better - he's 4-1 this month, but with a 5.46 ERA. He's been workmanlike against the Bucs this year, going 2-1, 4.01. These two warhorses have seen better campaigns and both would like to end the year at a gallop rather than a trot.

Vogey gets the final start - will it be his last as a Pirate? (image Root Sports) 

Lineup: John Jaso 1B, Gregory Polanco RF, Cutch CF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Matt Joyce LF, Alen Hanson 2B, Eric Fryer C, Pedro Florimon SS, Vogelsong P. We sorta expect some mass subbing later in the game, but who knows what lurks in Clint's mind?

• The beat guys report that Pirates put Starling Marte on the 15-day DL for this series. We're not sure what purpose there would be for that.
• Redbird playoff scenario: The Cardinals have to beat Pittsburgh and the Giants have to lose to the visiting Dodgers. That would force a tiebreaker Monday at Busch Stadium, the winner of which would go on to meet the Mets at Shea for the wildcard game. The games both start at the same time, so they'll be lots of strained eyeballs from a day of feverish scoreboard watching by the G-Men, Cards and their fans.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article105444991.html#storylink=cpy