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

ST. LOUIS — The Padres started and finished strong on their longest road trip of the season. They concluded the 10-game, three-city trip Sunday with a 9-2 victory over the Cardinals built mostly in the first four innings.

Its Thursday, July 24 and the Padres (55-47) are in St. Louis to open a series against the Cardinals (52-51). Yu Darvish is slated to take the mound for San Diego against Sonny Gray for St. Louis.

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 ...

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.

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.