Pittsburgh @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 14, St. Louis 5

The Pirates look to continue their offensive barrage when they meet the Cardinals in the second of a three-game series in St. Louis. Pittsburgh has scored 30 runs during its three-game win streak, including Friday’s 14-5 victory in which four different Pirates homered. Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen is hitting .344 after going 4-for-5 with three RBIs and four runs scored Friday.

St. Louis has dropped two straight after a five-game win streak. The Cardinals are just 17-17 at home - well behind the stellar marks of division-leading Cincinnati (23-16) and runner-up Pittsburgh (23-13). One bright spot has been the play of outfielders Carlos Beltran, who leads the club in homers and RBIs, and Allen Craig, who has nine RBIs in his last six games and is averaging one per contest overall.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS-M, ROOT

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (0-2, 6.35 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (10-3, 3.23 ERA)

This will be Karstens’ second start since a two-month layoff due to a shoulder injury. He got rocked for seven runs (six earned) in a five-inning stint Monday vs. the Phillies. Karstens has been horrible in three road starts this season, posting a 9.00 ERA while allowing batters to hit .396. He’s 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA in seven career appearances against St. Louis.

Lynn has been excellent at home this season, going 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA. The Royals shelled him for three homers and six runs in 5 1/3 innings last time out, but St. Louis has won five of his last seven starts. Batters are hitting .234 against him overall. In three career starts against the Pirates, Lynn is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Cards 1B Lance Berkman, who had knee surgery in May, is scheduled to rejoin the team Sunday.

2. Beltran received a long standing ovation after notching his 2,000th career hit Friday.

3. Pirates 2B Neil Walker is 7-for-13 with three RBIs over the last three games.