St. Louis @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) St. Louis 6, Pittsburgh 1

After defeating the Pirates twice in last year's division series, Adam Wainwright faces Pittsburgh again Sunday when St. Louis tries to capture the rubber game of the three-game series. Wainwright was 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA against the Pirates last October, including a complete game performance in the Cardinals' decisive 6-1 victory in Game 5. The Pirates will counter with Edinson Volquez, who is quite familiar with the Cardinals but has not enjoyed much success against them.

Pittsburgh dominated the series opener 12-2 behind Pedro Alvarez's two home runs, but St. Louis answered Saturday with a 6-1 triumph as Yadier Molina and Jhonny Peralta each went deep. The Pirates managed only six singles in Saturday's loss and aside from Friday's game, have scored a total of eight runs in 44 innings in their other four contests. Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter has reached base three times in each of the first two games after hitting 1-for-19 in last season's NLDS.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Edinson Volquez (0-0, 0.00)

Wainwright, who led the majors with 241 2/3 innings pitched last season and ranked third in the National League with 219 strikeouts, punched out nine hitters while going seven scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Opening Day. Wainwright did exhibit some uncharacteristic wildness in that one and will look to improve upon his four walks when he faces Pittsburgh on Sunday. Aside from his success against the Pirates in last year's playoffs, Wainwright has relatively modest numbers against Pittsburgh - at least by his standards - with a 4.81 ERA in 22 career appearances (18 starts).

Volquez made a relief appearance Thursday, tossing two scoreless innings in his Pirates debut. He endured a brutal spring training, going 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA after going 9-12 with a 5.71 ERA while pitching for the Padres and Dodgers last season. The former Reds hurler has made 10 career starts against the Pirates, posting a 3-5 career record with a 5.56 ERA versus Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Wainwright needs one more win to tie three pitchers, including Matt Morris, for 10th place on the Cardinals' all-time list (101).

2. Pirates OF Starling Marte has reached base safely in all 17 of his career games against the Cardinals.

3. St. Louis OF Peter Bourjos, acquired in an offseason trade with the Angels, is 0-for-13 with six strikeouts.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 8, Pirates 2