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Cardinals to start Jose Quintana vs. Phillies in Game 1; St. Louis native Matt Vierling to play center field

The Phillies discussed a deal for Quintana at the trade deadline. On Friday, they will face him in the playoffs.

Jose Quintana pitched well in 12 starts with the Cardinals after being acquired at the trade deadline.
Jose Quintana pitched well in 12 starts with the Cardinals after being acquired at the trade deadline.Read moreKeith Srakocic / AP

ST. LOUIS — In the days leading up to the Aug. 2 trade deadline, the Phillies discussed a deal for José Quintana. Now, they’ll have to face him in the playoffs.

Quintana will be the Cardinals’ Game 1 starter, manager Oliver Marmol announced Thursday, ending the suspense over St. Louis’ pitching plans on the eve of the best-of-three wild-card series at Busch Stadium. The Phillies will counter with ace Zack Wheeler.

» READ MORE: Bet on Zack Wheeler to give the Phils a 1-0 series lead Friday in St. Louis

In opting for Quintana, the Cardinals went with a left-hander against a Phillies lineup that is headlined by Bryce Harper and National League home-run king Kyle Schwarber, both left-handed hitters. Lefties batted .219 with a .557 on-base plus slugging percentage against Quintana.

To counter Quintana, who had a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts for the Cardinals after coming over in a deadline deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Phillies will start St. Louis native Matt Vierling in center field over lefty-hitting Brandon Marsh, interim manager Rob Thomson said.

”He’s really thrown well,” Thomson said of Quintana. “He has really good numbers against lefties.”

» READ MORE: Phillies-Cardinals questions: Who would start Game 1 against the Braves? Does 2011 matter?

Quintana faced the Phillies on July 29 in Pittsburgh before he got traded and shut them out for 5 2/3 innings.

Marmol also announced that right-hander Miles Mikolas will be the Cardinals’ Game 2 starter Saturday night. Mikolas had a 3.29 ERA in 33 starts this season. The Phillies will have Aaron Nola on the mound in Game 2.