Cincinnati @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2012 ) St. Louis 8, Cincinnati 2

The St. Louis Cardinals are closing in on a National League wild-card berth as they face the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Monday. The Cardinals have a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers with three games to play and their magic number sits at two. Cincinnati is tied for the NL’s top record and will have manager Dusty Baker back in the dugout. Baker missed 11 consecutive games due to a minor stroke and irregular heartbeat.

The Reds are tied with Washington for the NL’s top record but need to finish ahead of the Nationals to land the top seed. The 96 victories matches Cincinnati’s most since also winning 96 in 1999. Outfielder Ryan Ludwick (groin) doubled as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s comeback win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and is slated to start for the first time since Sept. 19. Carlos Beltran hit two homers for the Cardinals in their Sunday victory over the Washington Nationals after belting just two over his previous 41 games. Beltran drove in five runs and is three shy of his eighth 100-RBI campaign.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (12-9, 3.70 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (6-7, 3.99)

Arroyo has lost back-to-back decisions after winning his previous five decisions. He gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings while losing to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Arroyo allowed three runs and five hits in eight innings while beating St. Louis on April 19. He is 8-12 with a 4.54 ERA in 32 career appearances (30 starts) against the Cardinals.

Garcia has beaten the Houston Astros in each of his last two starts, including tossing seven shutout innings Tuesday. He has won three of his last four decisions while allowing just eight earned runs over his last five outings. Garcia is 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA in three starts against the Reds this season. He is 7-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 3B David Freese (ankle) started Sunday for the first time since being hurt six days earlier. He has 13 homers in 58 career games against Cincinnati.

2. Reds 2B Brandon Phillips (groin) left Sunday’s game as a precaution but might be in the lineup Monday.

3. Cardinals OF Jon Jay is batting .455 in 22 at-bats against Arroyo.