Series preview: Cardinals, Padres meet for crucial series

San Diego Padres (76-70) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (76-69), September 17-19, 2021

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

TV: Bally Sports San Diego

Radio: KWFN, XEMO

Cardinals SB Nation Site: Viva El Birdos

The Padres head to St. Louis to face the Cardinals in a must-win three-game set.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this weekend:

Projected Starters

Friday, 5:15 p.m. PST

Vince Velasquez (3-6, 5.95 ERA) vs. Miles Mikolas (0-2, 5.47 ERA)

Saturday, 4:15 p.m. PST

Yu Darvish (8-10, 4.32 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (16-7, 2.88 ERA)

Sunday, 11:15 a.m. PST

Jake Arrieta (5-13, 7.05 ERA) vs. TBD

Projected Lineups

Padres

1. Trent Grisham (CF)
2. Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF)
3. Manny Machado (3B)
4. Jake Cronenworth (SS)
5. Austin Nola (C)
6. Eric Hosmer (1B)
7. Wil Myers (LF)
8. Adam Frazier (2B)
9. Starting Pitcher

Cardinals

1. Tommy Edman (S) 2B
2. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
3. Tyler O’Neill (R) LF
4. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Dylan Carlson (S) RF
7. Edmundo Sosa (R) SS
8. Harrison Bader (R) CF
9. Starting Pitcher

Just half a game separates the Padres from the Cardinals for the second NL Wild Card spot. The three-game series this weekend could be the deciding factor in which team claims that second Wild Card spot at the end of the season.

The Padres are riding momentum after winning the last two games in San Francisco against the Giants. Meanwhile, the Cardinals breezed past the Padres and Cincinnati Reds by winning seven of their last 10 games.

This weekend, one team’s momentum is going to take a hit as the two face off.

With just three weeks left in the season, you could argue that the postseason begins now for these two teams if it hasn’t already.