51ºÚÁÏ

The Cardinals' win streak faces perhaps its toughest test yet as the Phillies send out one of baseball's best starting pitchers to begin Wednesday's twinbill.

Winners of nine straight, the Cardinals face the Phillies at 12:05 p.m. (51ºÚÁÏ time) Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia.

The second game starts at 5:15 p.m. (51ºÚÁÏ time).

In the early game, the Phillies will start left-hander Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 2.11), the second-best starting pitcher in the National League by Fangraphs wins above replacement value.

Luzardo, the best pitcher in the best rotation in baseball, has permitted just two homers. Only three qualified starters across baseball have allowed fewer.

Acquired in trade with Miami in the offseason, the Peruvian's first six years of his career have been both unspectacular and hampered by injuries.

He added a sweeper this season, , and it has been extremely effective to the tune of a .179 batting average against and a 47.3% whiff rate.

Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.86) will start the early game for the Cardinals, his first outing after a shutout vs. the Nationals.

In the late game, the Cardinals will send out right-hander Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.50). Gray went seven shutout innings last time out, vs. the Pirates, allowing just two hits.

On the flipside, Gray has allowed three or more runs in half of his eight starts to date.

The Phillies will start right-hander Aaron Nola (1-6, 4.89) in the nightcap.

The Cardinals are 23-19, 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the National League Central lead.

The Phillies are is 24-17 and, barring a sweep of the doubleheader Wednesday, are in danger of falling to their first series loss since April 21-23 at the Mets.

How to watch the doubleheader, Cardinals at Phillies

When: 12:05 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. (51ºÚÁÏ times) Wednesday

Where: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .

Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.

Game 1 lineups

CARDINALS

1. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Masyn Winn, SS

3. Brendan Donovan, 2B

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Willson Contreras, 1B

6. Iván Herrera, DH

7. Pedro Pagés, C

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Erick Fedde, RHP

PHILLIES

1. Bryson Stott, 2B

2. Trea Turner, SS

3. Bryce Harper, 1B

4. Kyle Schwarber, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, RF

6. Max Kepler, LF

7. Alec Bohm, 3B

8. Brandon Marsh, CF

9. Rafael Marchán, C

P: Jesus Luzardo, LHP

Game 2 lineups

CARDINALS

1. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Masyn Winn, SS

3. Brendan Donovan, 2B

4. Nolan Arenado, DH

5. Willson Contreras, 1B

6. Iván Herrera, C

7. Alec Burleson, RF

8. Nolan Gorman, 3B

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Sonny Gray, RHP

PHILLIES

1. Bryson Stott, 2B

2. Trea Turner, SS

3. Bryce Harper, 1B

4. Kyle Schwarber, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, RF

6. Max Kepler, LF

7. J.T. Realmuto, C

8. Alec Bohm, 3B

9. Brandon Marsh, CF

P: Aaron Nola, RHP

Injury report

Zack Thompson, LHP (lat strain): While lefty continues to go through a throwing program and arm-strengthening program in Jupiter, Florida, at the player development complex, the team expects to have some updates on the progress and next steps this week. On April 7, Thompson was transferred to the 60-day IL. Updated May 12