Miami @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2013 ) St. Louis 2, Miami 7

The St. Louis Cardinals will look to return to first place in the National League Central when they open a five-game homestand against the Miami Marlins on Friday. The Cardinals went 3-5 on an eight-game road trip to trail first-place Pittsburgh by two games after squandering a two-run lead in the ninth inning en route to a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Shortstop Pete Kozma is mired in an 0-for-17 slump, prompting St. Louis manager Mike Matheny to tell reporters Thursday that Kozma likely will be given a few days off to try and restore his confidence.

The Marlins, who took two out of three from the Cardinals last month in Miami, send St. Louis-area native Jacob Turner to the mound for the series opener against Jake Westbrook. Miami took two in a row at NL East-leader Atlanta and - despite owning the NL’s worst record at 35-52 - are 22-11 since May 31. Miami starters have allowed three runs or fewer in 16 of the past 17 games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Miami), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jacob Turner (2-0, 1.76 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (4-3, 2.95).

Turner pitched his first career complete game on Saturday, holding San Diego to one earned run on seven hits with seven strikeouts. The victory broke a four-start winless streak for the right-hander, who has allowed two earned runs in his past two starts (16 innings). Turner is winless in seven career road starts despite a 3.07 ERA.

Westbrook is 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list with right elbow inflammation. He was hit hard Sunday at Oakland, allowing six runs on 10 hits in four innings. Westbrook’s first start after his stint on the DL came June 14 at Miami, a loss in which the right-hander yielded five runs (three earned) on eight hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. All 12 homers hit this season by Miami OF Justin Ruggiano have come on the road.

2. St. Louis OF Matt Holliday served as the team's designated hitter in the interleague series on Thursday. He did not play Wednesday due to a pinched nerve in his neck.

3. Miami 1B Logan Morrison returned to action Thursday. He was sidelined Wednesday with a sore hip after a collision at first base.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Marlins 2