After a much-needed win that ended a four-game skid, the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to carry that momentum into the final game of their series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates' recent shutout victory highlighted a resurgence, driven in large part by the stellar performance of Konnor Griffin, who has rapidly overcome early-season struggles to become a key offensive contributor. The decisive matchup will see Braxton Ashcraft take the mound for Pittsburgh, while Dustin May will pitch for St. Louis, setting the stage for a compelling contest.
Pirates Seek Series Victory in St. Louis Following Shutout Performance
In St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face the Cardinals in the final game of their midweek series. This follows a significant 7-0 victory by the Pirates on Wednesday, which not only broke a four-game losing streak but also marked their first shutout in St. Louis since April 13, 2023. The previous game on Tuesday saw the Cardinals triumph 9-6 in 10 innings, fueled by Ivan Herrera's walk-off three-run homer, one of four home runs hit by St. Louis.
A standout performer for the Pirates has been Konnor Griffin. Initially struggling with a .182 batting average over his first 19 games, the MLB.com's preseason No. 1 prospect dramatically turned his season around. On his 20th birthday, April 24th, Griffin delivered a 3-for-4 performance, including his first career home run, in a 6-0 win against Milwaukee. Since then, his batting average has soared by nearly 100 points to .278. Teammate Jake Mangum praised Griffin, highlighting his consistent strong play and long-term potential for Pittsburgh. Griffin himself emphasized the importance of teamwork and winning, stating that his offseason training prepared him for such moments.
For the Pirates, Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 3.09 ERA) will start. The 26-year-old right-hander, who debuted in the major leagues on May 26, 2025, throwing three shutout innings in relief, recently allowed four runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ashcraft holds an 0-1 record with a 6.30 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals, having given up six runs in 4 1/3 innings in their April 28th encounter.
Opposing him for the Cardinals will be Dustin May (3-4, 4.81 ERA). The 28-year-old right-hander received a no-decision in his last outing against the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed three runs on four hits over six frames. May is winless in his past four starts. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted May's strong fastball early in that game, which allowed him to overpower hitters. In two lifetime starts against the Pirates, May is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA, securing a no-decision on April 27th after pitching six innings with two earned runs.
In Wednesday's game, St. Louis first baseman Alec Burleson and right fielder Jordan Walker were removed late after being hit by pitches. However, Manager Marmol clarified that these were precautionary measures due to the lopsided score, with Walker even expressing a desire to continue playing if the game had been closer.
This game presents a crucial opportunity for the Pirates to solidify their recent success and demonstrate their capability to perform under pressure. Griffin's emergence as a key player provides a significant boost, and the team's ability to maintain their newfound rhythm will be critical for their season's trajectory.
