ST. LOUIS -- Steven Brault has been compared by some to Mark Buehrle, and if he has anywhere near the major league career Buehrle enjoyed, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be better for it.With Tuesday nights probable starter, Jameson Taillon (right shoulder fatigue), hitting the 15-day disabled list after Pittsburghs 4-2 win Monday over the St. Louis Cardinals, Brault is expected to be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his first big league start when the teams continue their four-game series.Described as a pitch to contact guy by one scouting report, Brault is 2/3 with a 3.00 earned run average over nine minor league starts this year, eight at Indianapolis. Although his fastball tops out at 91 mph, Brault has fanned 49 hitters in 39 innings.Brault fits the profile of the kind of pitcher that has given St. Louis fits at times the last three-plus years -- a crafty left-hander who changes speeds and spins, keeping the opposition off-balance.Jonathon Niese certainly did that Monday, limiting the Cardinals (43-39) to seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings as he earned the win. It was the third time on St. Louis nine-game homestand that a starting pitcher with an ERA over 5.00 had limited the club to a run or less while on the bump.I dont know what to make of that, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. Any guy in this league has the potential to put something together. I think we treat them all with the same respect.As Taillon, who was 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in his first five MLB starts, goes on the shelf, the Pirates (42-41) might be on the verge of welcoming their top starting pitcher back to the fold.Right-hander Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.77), who went on the 15-day DL June 14 with a right triceps strain, is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday night for Indianapolis. Cole is expected to throw three innings or 50 pitches, according to manager Clint Hurdle.Whats more, Pittsburgh right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (facial fractures), who is on the 60-day DL after being beaned May 23, will pitch a simulated game Tuesday. His battery mate will be none other than catcher Francisco Cervelli (broken left hamate bone), whos been on the 15-day DL since June 11.Even with all the injuries, the Pirates have won five straight and are over .500 for the first time since June 15. One major reason has been the bullpen, which worked an MLB-best 34 straight scoreless innings before giving up a run in the ninth inning Monday.The roll theyre on now is kind of crazy, Hurdle said. But these guys have had success before. Theyre in a good place right now. Theyre going to continue to work and feed off one another.Pittsburgh faces a historically tough matchup Tuesday night when St. Louis sends Mike Leake (5-6, 4.13) to the bump. Leake, whos coming off a 4-2 loss Thursday night against Kansas City, is 9-4 with a 3.13 ERA in 26 career starts against the Pirates, winning eight of his last nine decisions against them. Adidas NMD R2 Dam . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Adidas NMD R1 Dam Rea . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. http://www.nmdsverige.com/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Adidas Superstar Sverige . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Adidas Continental 80 Dam .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Fred Ross is confident Mississippi States offense is going to be productive this season.Just dont ask the senior receiver what it might look like. Truth is, he doesnt know.Thats because the Bulldogs have an unorthodox four-man quarterback race when preseason practice opens on Tuesday. Even though much of Mississippi States offense will stay the same no matter who is under center, theres no doubt the finished product will be tailored to the man taking the snaps.The skys the limit, Ross said Monday. But weve got to work at it during camp and get everything fixed. I dont know how this offense is going to be, but I do expect it to be good.Sophomore Nick Fitzgerald is one of the early favorites to win the quarterback job after several successful cameo appearances in 2015.As a redshirt freshman backing up senior star Dak Prescott, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Fitzgerald completed nearly 80 percent of his passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.But that performance wasnt good enough to earn him the starting job this fall. Instead, hes in a competition that started last spring and will almost certainly be the hottest topic of preseason camp.For the four quarterbacks -- Fitzgerald, sophomore Elijah Staley, junior Damian Williams and redshirt freshman Nick Tiano -- every snap they take during practice will be precious and heavily scrutinized. Coach Dan Mullen said they will all receive about 25 percent of the snaps in the opening days of preseason camp.The Bulldogs opener is at home against South Alabama on Sept. 3.Mullen said hell make a decision on the starting quarterback as soon as it defines itself. Hed like to do that during preseason practice but acknowledged the competition could last deep into the season.dddddddddddd.The eighth-year coach has been clear about the most important trait the eventual starter will possess: consistency.Who has made the improvements over the summer to be the most consistent performer to help us win football games? Mullen said. I think if you watched (all four) you say, `Wow, these guys can make some extraordinary plays.But the biggest thing we need is the guy who can make the play every single snap.The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Ross figures to be one of the most important players on Mississippi States offense no matter who is playing quarterback.Ross led the team with 88 catches for 1,007 yards and five touchdowns last season. Mullen said Ross could be a threat at several different positions because his versatility allows Mississippi States coaches to move him around the field and find good matchups.Another veteran playmaker is senior Brandon Holloway, who was second on the team with 413 yards rushing last year while catching 33 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns.Mississippi State also returns a handful of experienced offensive linemen who will be charged with protecting the new quarterback.Now its just a matter of finding out exactly who that will be. Holloway didnt sound concerned.I think its going to be good, Holloway said. Im waiting to see the outcome as well.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '