Milwaukee @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2014 ) St. Louis 2, Milwaukee 11

\After significantly bolstering their pitching at the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals send ace Adam Wainwright to the mound Friday in the opener of a pivotal three-game series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals followed their acquisition of Justin Masterson by trading for John Lackey from Boston and cash considerations for fellow right-hander Joe Kelly and outfielder/first baseman Allen Craig on Thursday. Pitching wasn't an issue Thursday as Shelby Miller tossed six strong innings as St. Louis breezed to a 6-2 triumph against San Diego and moved within two games of National League Central-leading Milwaukee.

The Brewers didn't stand pat prior to the trade deadline, acquiring veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra from Arizona for minor-league outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-hander Anthony Banda. Parra provides a left-handed presence at the plate, which would be welcomed by a lineup that features plenty of right-handed bats. Khris Davis, who may platoon with Parra, recorded his fifth multi-double game of the season in Wednesday's 5-0 triumph over Tampa Bay and is 2-for-4 in his career versus Wainwright.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (12-6, 3.56 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (13-5, 1.92)

Peralta posted his third straight victory after allowing two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings en route to a 5-2 win over the New York Mets on Saturday. The 25-year-old Dominican improved to 3-3 in his career versus St. Louis after posting a 2-0 mark with a rail-thin 0.68 ERA in two meetings this season. Peralta has struggled at Busch Stadium of late, going 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in his last two starts.

Wainwright recorded his NL-best 13th victory in impressive fashion, scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings en route to a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The 32-year-old improved to 10-6 in his career versus Milwaukee after permitting two runs on five hits in seven strong frames in a 10-2 triumph July 12. Wainwright traditionally has handcuffed the Brewers, registering an 0.89 WHIP while limiting the division rival to a .199 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter, who is 13-for-32 in his last eight games, is 5-for-12 with a homer in his career against Peralta.

2. Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun is 0-for-16 in his last four games, but went 6-for-13 in the teams' last series from July 11-13.

3. Masterson, who was acquired from Cleveland for Double-A OF James Ramsey on Wednesday, is slated to make his Cardinals debut Saturday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Brewers 1