St. Louis @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2012 ) St. Louis 0, Pittsburgh 9

Pedro Alvarez has quite an act to follow up when the Pittsburgh Pirates finish a three-game series against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Alvarez smashed two long homers and had four RBIs in Tuesday’s victory to continue his personal onslaught against the Cardinals. Alvarez has six homers and 20 RBIs in 14 games against St. Louis this season. The Cardinals will be without catcher Yadier Molina, who was injured during Tuesday’s loss.

The Cardinals have won six of eight games despite being pounded 9-0 on Tuesday. Molina left with neck, back and shoulder injuries after a collision at home plate with Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison. The Pirates moved within two games of the Cardinals in the wild-card chase behind Alvarez’s power show. His second homer – and 25th of the season – traveled 469 feet and was the longest blast by a Pittsburgh player in the 11-year history of PNC Park. Wednesday’s game is the final meeting of the season between the teams with the series tied 7-7.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (4-5, 3.26 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Wandy Rodriguez (8-13, 4.01)

Kelly is back in the rotation due to the bullpen demotion of All-Star Lance Lynn. He allowed just one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 19-inning game against the Pirates on August 19. Kelly’s most recent start was when he defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 14. He has a 3.41 ERA in 12 starts.

Rodriguez is 0-4 in five starts since Pittsburgh acquired him from the Houston Astros. He did pick up a relief win by shutting out St. Louis for two innings in the recent 19-inning contest. Rodriguez is 7-11 with a 3.73 ERA in 22 career appearances (20 starts) against St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates released LHP Erik Bedard (7-14, 5.01 ERA) and recalled INF Chase d’Arnaud from Triple-A Indianapolis.

2. St. Louis OFs Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday each have three career homers against Rodriguez.

3. Pittsburgh 2B Neil Walker (back) has missed the first two games of the series.