Milwaukee @ St. Louis preview
Busch Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2013 ) Milwaukee 2, St. Louis 4
The St. Louis Cardinals haven't lost a series at home in over a month, and they can ensure that streak continues with a win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. The Cardinals, who lead the National League Central by one game over Pittsburgh, can lock up their fifth straight series win at Busch Stadium with a victory in the second game of the set. St. Louis won the opener 4-2 behind a strong performance from rookie Shelby Miller.
The Cardinals have won four straight to seize a narrow margin in a tight three-team division race. St. Louis needs right-hander Lance Lynn to regain his early-season form - after a 10-1 start, he has dropped nine of his last 12 decisions, including five straight. The Brewers have dropped seven of 10 and are a half-game ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the race to avoid the NL Central cellar.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (6-4, 4.49 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (13-10, 4.37)
Estrada got some extra time off following his last start Aug. 31, in which he allowed four runs on nine hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Angels. The 30-year-old has won two straight decisions and hasn't lost since June 3 - before a two-month stint on the disabled list. Estrada is 0-4 with a 6.47 ERA in 11 games (six starts) versus St. Louis.
Lynn is 0-5 with a 6.88 ERA over his last six starts, and he has allowed four or more runs in five straight outings. The 26-year-old has been much better at home (8-3, 3.20 ERA) than on the road (5-7, 5.59) and will try to harness that home-field advantage. Lynn is 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in eight games (four starts) against Milwaukee and is 0-1 in two meetings this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is 12-for-21 with two doubles and a homer versus Estrada.
2. St. Louis starting pitchers have recorded three consecutive scoreless outings for the first time since April 10-14.
3. The Brewers will go to a six-man rotation for the remainder of the season, using RHPs Wily Peralta, Estrada, Tyler Thornburg, Kyle Lohse, Johnny Hellweg and Yovani Gallardo.
PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Cardinals 5