St. Louis @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 22, 2013 ) St. Louis 2, Houston 3
The St. Louis Cardinals attempt to bounce back from a lost weekend when they begin an eight-game interleague road trip Tuesday with the opener of a brief two-game series against the Houston Astros. After taking three of four from the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis concluded its seven-game homestand with three straight losses to the Texas Rangers. The National League Central-leading Cardinals, who look to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat, scored a total of seven runs in the three-game set - including three over the final two contests.
Houston followed two straight series wins by dropping two of three games to the Cubs in Chicago. The Astros scored six runs on Sunday but could not contain the duo of Anthony Rizzo and Ryan Sweeney, which combined for six hits - two home runs - and 10 RBIs while scoring six times. Houston is kicking off a nine-game run at home, where it has won five of its last seven.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), CSN (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (3-2, 1.76 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (5-7, 4.32)
Westbrook will be making his third start since returning from the disabled list. The 35-year-old rebounded from a rough outing at Miami by allowing just an unearned run and two hits over seven innings of a victory over the Cubs on Wednesday. Westbrook is 3-2 with a 5.50 ERA in seven career starts against Houston.
Harrell originally was slated to start Wednesday's contest but will move up to remain on his normal four days' rest. The 28-year-old settled for a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday after yielding four runs - one earned - in 5 1/3 innings. Harrell, who has won two of his last three decisions, is 2-3 with a 5.46 ERA in six career games (five starts) vs. the Cardinals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Westbrook has allowed fewer than two earned runs in five of his eight starts this season and three earned in each of his other three outings.
2. The Cardinals have had a total of 10 rookies on their pitching staff thus far this year.
3. The long-time division rivals are meeting for the first time this season, Houston's first in the American League.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Astros 3