PITTSBURGH — If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, the next four days are critical.
Pittsburgh is seven games back of Milwaukee after winning two of three in a weekend series against the third-place St. Louis Cardinals, including a 4-3 walk-off win Sunday.
The Brewers, launching a 10-game, 11-day road trip, are 11-3 their past 14 games. They began Sunday a season-best 11 games over .500 but missed a chance to sweep a weekend series from Philadelphia, falling 5-2.
Still, Milwaukee seems to be solidifying its hold on first in what has been baseball’s weakest division and one seemingly up for grabs most of the season.