St. Louis @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) St. Louis 5, Miami 2

Riding a season-high five-game win streak, the visiting St. Louis Cardinals go for a three-game sweep Wednesday in Miami. Catcher Yadier Molina is leading the surge, having homered in three straight games for the first time in his career. His two-run shot sent Monday’s game to extra innings, and his three-run homer highlighted Tuesday’s five-run first inning.

The Marlins have dropped eight of nine and 17 of 20, and continue to play shoddy defense. In Tuesday’s 5-2 loss, all the Cardinals’ runs were unearned. Miami has lost eight straight to St. Louis dating to last season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS-F, FS-M

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (1-0, 3.52 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 3.94 ERA)

The rookie Kelly makes his fourth start after earning his first win last time out, allowing three runs in six innings against the Royals. It was his longest outing. But batters are hitting .343 against Kelly, and he’s yielded two homers in 15 1/3 total innings.

Sanchez was shelled by the Blue Jays last time out, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. He’s been terrible at home this season, going 1-5 with a 5.40 ERA. Batters are hitting just .242 against him, but he’s walked 10 in his last three starts. Sanchez is 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Cards RF Carlos Beltran has 10 RBIs in the Cards’ five-game win streak.

2. Cards LF Matt Holliday went 0-for-3 with two walks Tuesday after entering with 11 hits in his previous four games.

3. Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton hit his 17th homer in Tuesday’s loss.