St. Louis @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2013 ) St. Louis 0, Pittsburgh 6

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best record in the majors and look to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for the fourth time in three days when the teams meet Wednesday in the fourth contest of a five-game set. The Pirates swept a doubleheader from St. Louis on Tuesday to take a 1 1/2-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central. Pittsburgh has outscored St. Louis 17-3 in the first three games.

The Cardinals have lost a season-worst six straight games and have been outscored 28-6 during the stretch. St. Louis All-Star catcher Yadier Molina left Tuesday’s second game with a strained right knee and appears headed to the disabled list. Pittsburgh is a season-high 22 games above .500 after sweeping a twin bill from the Cardinals for the first time since June 28, 1978 – winning the opener 2-1 in 11 innings and recording a 6-0 victory in the nightcap.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (13-6, 2.51 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.15)

Wainwright has been one of the top pitchers in baseball and the Cardinals badly need a strong performance with their bats being so silent. He lost to the Atlanta Braves in his last start after winning his three previous decisions. Wainwright is 8-4 with a 5.20 ERA in 19 career appearances (15 starts) against St. Louis.

Locke has lost two of his last three starts despite allowing five runs and 12 hits in 19 2/3 innings. He has given up two or fewer runs in each of his last eight outings. Locke blanked St. Louis on three hits over seven innings April 28 to win his lone career start against the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis had nine hits in Tuesday’s doubleheader and was blanked over the final 17 innings.

2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is 9-for-21 with three doubles and a triple against Wainwright.

3. Cardinals 1B/OF Allen Craig is hitless in 22 at-bats over the last seven games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Cardinals 1