St. Louis @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) St. Louis 3, Cincinnati 5

Riding a four-game win streak, the Reds try to even the season series with St. Louis when their weekend set resumes Saturday at Great American Ball Park. St. Louis took four of the first six meetings before Friday’s 5-3 Cincinnati win. Second baseman Brandon Phillips continues to be Cincinnati's catalyst. He went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Friday, giving him six hits in the last two games.

The Cardinals stranded 11 runners, hit into two double plays and committed a costly error in Friday’s loss. St. Louis had won four of five heading into the All-Star Break as it continues to pursue division co-leaders Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Sitting 2 1/2 games back entering Saturday's action, the Cardinals send red-hot Kyle Lohse to the hill against Reds counterpart Mike Leake, who has also been solid of late.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Kyle Lohse (9-2. 2.79 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (3-6, 4.01)

Lohse continues to be a revelation for the Cardinals, riding a three-game winning streak while reeling off seven consecutive quality starts. The 33-year-old limited Miami to two runs on three hits over seven innings in his last outing. He's 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 career starts against the Reds.

Leake has been brilliant in his last four starts, going at least seven innings and allowing two or fewer earned runs each time. He’s struck out 18 and walked two in that span. But for the season, batters are hitting .272 against him. Leake is 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA in four career appearances against the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Cards 1B Lance Berkman is expected to be activated for Saturday’s game. He’s been out since injuring his knee May 19.

2. Friday marked the seventh sellout crowd this season at Great American Ball Park.

3. Reds 3B Scott Rolen, dealing with back spasms, pinch-hit in the seventh inning Friday and stayed in the game. Rolen has started just one of the past nine games.