Milwaukee @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) Milwaukee 0, St. Louis 2

Suffice to say the first two weeks of the season have not unfolded the way Milwaukee hoped. The Brewers are 2-7 as they meet the Cardinals in the second game of a weekend series at St. Louis on Saturday having lost seven of their past eight. Yovani Gallardo could use a pick-me-up as well. Saturday’s starter has struggled through two starts this season, allowing 19 hits (tied for worst in the National League). Ryan Braun told reporters before Friday’s series opener he feels healthy despite battling neck spasms earlier in the week.

St. Louis has steadied itself after a 1-3 start, winning five of its past six games. One key is starting pitching. The Cardinals’ rotation ranks second in the majors in ERA (2.27), holding opponents to a .223 batting average. Another big factor is when St. Louis gets runners in scoring position, the offense comes through. The Cardinals lead the majors with a .382 average in that situation.

TV: 4:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 5.73 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-1, 3.46)

The Brewers are counting on Gallardo to lead their rotation, but the 27-year-old has surrendered seven runs in 11 innings. Milwaukee has scored 12 runs in his two starts, the biggest reason Gallardo does not have a loss on his record. The Cardinals pounded Gallardo for 16 runs in 11 2/3 innings in three games last season.

Wainwright rebounded from a shaky opening day loss at Arizona to beat the defending world champion Giants on Sunday. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Wainwright is 8-6 lifetime with a 2.07 ERA in 24 career appearances (17 starts) against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee 3B Alex Gonzalez left Friday’s game after being hit by a Shelby Miller pitch on the left elbow. X-rays were negative, the Brewers announced late Friday.

2. St. Louis OF Matt Holliday has three career homers in 21 at-bats against Gallardo.

3. Milwaukee SS Jean Segura had one of the Brewers’ two hits Friday. Segura leads the NL with a .429 batting average.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Brewers 3