St. Louis @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2013 ) St. Louis 6, Arizona 1

Brandon McCarthy's spring training numbers were not particularly good, but the fact the right-hander was on the mound is all that mattered. McCarthy, who was
beaned by a line drive last September and eventually underwent a two-hour surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, will make his Diamondbacks debut Wednesday when Arizona hosts the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of their three-game series. Lance Lynn, who shed some 40 pounds over the winter, starts for St. Louis.

The Cardinals evened the series with a 6-1 victory Tuesday on the strength of three home runs, including Matt Holliday's two-run shot which broke a 1-1 tie in
the sixth inning. The Diamondbacks are hoping to resurrect the career of Heath Bell after acquiring the struggling reliever from Miami during the off-season, but his debut did not go well. Bell allowed two homers - one on his first pitch - and a double and single in facing five batters.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), Fox Sports Arizona Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (2012: 18-7, 3.78 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (8-6, 3.24)

Lynn spent most of March trying to get used to his new body, which provides more flexibility in his delivery. He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that this spring
training is a "luxury" to get ready for his first start rather than worrying about competing for a roster spot. Lynn was impressive in 2012 - his second season and
first as mostly a starter, striking out 180 in 176 innings. Lynn won his only career start against Arizona last season with five shutout innings.

McCarthy makes his National League debut after seven seasons in the American League, including the last two in Oakland when he went 17-15 with a 3.29
ERA. The 29-year-old Glendale, Calif., native has also been plagued by shoulder problems during his career, but will try to exceed his career high of 170 2/3
innings in 2011. McCarthy has never pitched against St. Louis, but has faced two of its hitters - Holliday (0-for-4) and Ty Wigginton (2-for-12, HR).

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt, who signed a five-year, $32 million extension Friday, is off to a 1-for-6 start with two walks and three strikeouts.

2. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter is 3-for-9 with three doubles and has also played exceptionally well defensively filling in for David Freese, who could possibly
return Monday.

3. Both teams resume play Friday when they begin three-game series on the road - St. Louis at San Francisco and Arizona at Milwaukee.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Diamondbacks 2