Colorado @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2012 ) Colorado 3, St. Louis 2

The St. Louis Cardinals expected to be in a much better position at the midway point of the season. The defending World Series champs carry a pedestrian 42-39 record into the third of a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. The Cardinals dropped a 3-2 decision Tuesday, falling to 2-3 on their season-high 10-game homestand as the Rockies evened the set at a win apiece.

Rockies center fielder Tyler Colvin hit a three-run homer Tuesday - his 10th of the campaign, giving him 14 RBIs in the last 10 games. Despite Colvin's hot streak, the Rockies have scored just 10 runs in their last four games (1-3). Colorado got a rare outstanding bullpen performance in Tuesday’s win. Four relievers combined to shut out St. Louis over the final four innings, with Rafael Betancourt notching his 13th save in 17 opportunities.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FS-M, ROOT

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jeremy Guthrie (3-7, 6.56 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (6-8, 4.75)

Batters are hitting .327 against Guthrie, whose last appearance came in long relief against the Padres. He allowed two homers and three runs in two innings. But Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran are a combined 1-for-8 against him. And Guthrie has been better on the road this season, going 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA.

Wainwright is 3-1 with a 1.44 ERA in eight career appearances against the Rockies. Pittsburgh pounded Wainwright for 11 hits and seven runs in five innings in his last outing. His comeback from Tommy John surgery has been up-and-down. Wainwright has an impressive 91 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings, but he has served up 10 homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis has won nine of the past 12 meetings with Colorado.

2. Carlos Beltran went 0-for-3 with a walk Tuesday, ending his RBI streak at nine games.

3. The Cardinals are just 19-19 at Busch Stadium.