Wainwright's Monday start is his first since May 13 in San Diego, after which he went to the disabled list with elbow discomfort. He started the season 1-3 with a 4.00 earned-run average.
In his career against Pittsburgh, the 37-year-old Wainwright is 13-7, but has an ERA of 4.28. He threw 17 scoreless innings over six rehab appearances.
He and the Cardinals will face fellow righthander Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15), who has been among the best pitchers in baseball during the second half of the season. Williams, 26, has an ERA of 0.72 since the All-Star Break and has been even better over his last nine starts, posting a 0.