The Padres take on the Cardinals, with Nick Pivetta & Miles Mikolas getting the starts. Analysis centers on their recent performances.

It took just one inning to spark the St. Louis Cardinals to a decisive victory against San Diego and out of their recent doldrums at the plate.

The Padres have dropped three consecutive games, losing two straight and the series to the Marlins, then the opener to the Cardinals. St. Louis won 9-7 as Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan hit three-run homers in a six-run second inning to pull ahead.

Jay, a member of two World Series teams and five consecutive playoff clubs for the Cardinals, was 16 for his first 60 (.267) before Thursday night with the Padres, where he has been their leadoff man.

Padres have dubious distinction vs. Cardinals in St Louis; Nick Pivetta looks to stay hot in sweltering Midwest

San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin isn't focused on the number 10. That's the magic number for the Padres, and any combination of 10 San Diego wins and/or Milwaukee Brewers losses will clinch a ...

PITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Nick Pivetta (10-2, 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 127 strikeouts); Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (5-7, 5.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 69 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres look to end their three-game losing streak with a win against the St. Louis Cardinals.