Grichuk and Piscotty are among MLB's biggest rookie thumpers

Small wonder that St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny put Randal Grichuk in center field against the Cubs on Wednesday, despite his inability to throw the ball hard as he works his way back from an elbow injury. Nor was it a surprise when Stephen Piscotty busted a two-run double that lifted St. Louis to a much-needed win.

Both outfielders are among the most potent rookie sluggers in baseball this season.

HIGHEST ON-BASE PLUS SLUGGING PERCENTAGE BY MLB ROOKIES IN 2015

The Cardinals open a 10-game road trip at Cincinnati on Thursday with the best record in Major League Baseball (88-51). The Reds, meanwhile, are last in the NL Central at 57-81. Among other things, a big difference between the Cardinals and Reds this season has been their respective ability to come from behind. St. Louis has 39 comeback wins this season, tops in the majors, while Cincinnati has an MLB-low 18.

Rookie John Lamb will start for the Reds in the opener Thursday night, and while he has struggled since getting called up from Triple A (0-3, 6.11 ERA in five games), the fact that he's left-handed could help his cause. The Cardinals have hit significantly lower against lefties this season.

Lamb will face Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia, who has been nothing short of spectacular working around two different stints on the disabled list this season. Historically spectacular, in fact.

BIGGEST DIFFERENTIAL IN BATTING AVERAGE, BETTER VS. RIGHT-HANDERS IN 2015 (MLB)

LOWEST ERA IN A SEASON BY A CARDINAL SINCE 1900

YADIER MOLINA IN CARDINALS WINS VS. LOSSES IN 2015