MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers begin one of their longest homestands of the season tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Brewers battle the defending division and World Series champs in a three-game series to begin the 10-day home stretch.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will make their second trip to Miller Park for a four-game set before the Brewers conclude the homestand with three games against the Washington Nationals.
Tonight's game has a 6:05 p.m. start because it's nationally televised on ESPN.
The game will have somber tone because of the death of St. Louis pitcher Josh Hancock.
The Cardinals postponed their home game last night against the Chicago Cubs because of Hancock's death earlier in the day.
The relief pitcher was killed when his SUV slammed into the back of a tow truck.
It's the second time in five years that the Cardinals have lost a player.
Darryl Kile died of natural causes in June 2002.
The Cardinals will wear patches with Hancock's number 32 on their sleeves for the rest of the season.
