The St. Louis Cardinals are set to welcome the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series that could shape the National League Central race as the season heads toward its midpoint.
A pivotal matchup before the break
St. Louis took two of three games in their most recent meeting, giving the Cardinals a modest edge heading into the upcoming contest.
The Braves have held first place in the NL East for three months and will bring five All-Star representatives, including veteran left-hander Chris Sale, to the midsummer showcase.
Fans can tune in live on Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package, which offers a free trial week for new subscribers before a monthly fee of $12.99.
The game is scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, a venue that has become a familiar battleground for both clubs.
Beyond the immediate implications for division standings, the series serves as a litmus test for both teams' pitching depth and offensive consistency as they jockey for playoff positioning.