San Francisco @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2013 ) San Francisco 1, St. Louis 7

The St. Louis Cardinals haven’t swept the San Francisco Giants at home since 1962, but they can accomplish that feat with a victory Sunday in the finale of their three-game series. The Cardinals surrendered one run while sweeping San Francisco in a day-night doubleheader Saturday. St. Louis improved its major league-best record to 37-18 but has been unable to pull away from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central.

The Cardinals have been playing so well lately, they moved Yadier Molina to the No. 2 spot in the batting order in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Molina, who’s hitting .351, batted second just seven times in his previous 1,134 career games. The Giants need to find a temporary replacement for third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who’s expected to miss the next week with a sprained left foot. Joaquin Arias will get the first shot.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, TBS, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chad Gaudin (0-1, 2.05 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Tyler Lyons (2-0, 1.29)

Gaudin will make his 76th career start and first since 2009 in place of Ryan Vogelsong, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week after breaking his hand during an at-bat. Mike Kickham filled Vogelsong’s spot in the rotation Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics but was sent down to Triple-A Fresno afterward. Gaudin allowed one run in three innings of relief after Kickham lasted 2 1/3 frames in the 6-3 loss to the A's.

Lyons has been sensational in his first two major-league starts, pitching seven innings and allowing one earned run in each outing. Another strong performance by Lyons and management will have a tough decision to make upon the return of Jake Westbrook, who is out with an elbow injury but is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Double-A Springfield. Lyons was expected to be a one-time fill-in for Westbrook, but the latter's elbow flared up and the former received a second chance.

WALK-OFFS

1. In the last five games, Cardinals starters have a 1.22 ERA with three walks and 32 strikeouts.

2. Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright has pitched three complete games this season, while the Giants have none.

3. San Francisco OF Angel Pagan was expected to return from a hamstring injury sometime during Saturday’s doubleheader but did not appear and remains questionable for Sunday’s game.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Giants 2