Worth noting

• As a showdown between top National League MVP candidates, this series flopped through the first two games, with both McCutchen (0-for-9, with five strikeouts) and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (0-for-7) hitless entering Sunday's finale.

• Hurdle confirmed that Jason Grilli gave "a very sound performance" Saturday in his first rehab start for Double-A Altoona, as reflected by his line (one hit in a 13-pitch scoreless inning), and that he will repeat the drill with the Curve on Monday.