St. Louis @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2012 ) St. Louis 4, Houston 0

The St. Louis Cardinals are closing in on the National League's second wild card and much of their late-season success can be attributed to the Houston Astros. The Cardinals will look to complete a three-game sweep and beat host Houston for the 11th consecutive time in Wednesday's series finale. St. Louis has won four straight overall and eight of its last nine games to extend its lead over Los Angeles and Milwaukee to 4 1/2 games with seven left to play.

The Cardinals are 5-0 against Houston since Sept. 18. The Astros will be playing their final home game of the season - and as a member of the National League. Houston will finish its season with six road games before switching to the American League for next season. The Astros have been competitive at Minute Maid Park, posting a 34-46 record, but have been dreadful on the road with a 16-59 mark.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), Fox Sports Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Chris Carpenter (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Astros RH Bud Norris (5-13, 5.05)

Carpenter will be making only his second start of the season after surgery rectified a nerve ailment that had threatened his year. The 2005 Cy Young Award winner went five innings against the Chicago Cubs in his season debut, giving up two runs on five hits and throwing 77 pitches. Carpenter is used to the heat of a pennant race, having gone 4-0 in the postseason and winning the World Series clincher in 2011.

What started off as a promising season for Norris has turned into a nightmare. He was 5-1 after beating the Chicago Cubs on May 21 and has not won since, absorbing 12 consecutive losses over a span of 18 starts. Norris, who is battling blister problems, lost to St. Louis last time out, giving up five runs in 5 1/3 innings. Despite losing three times to the Cardinals during his skid, he's 7-5 with a 2.97 lifetime against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina threw out his 31st runner attempting to steal Tuesday, which leads the majors.

2. Norris is attempting to avoid the franchise record of 13 straight losses held by Jose Lima.

3. Cardinals 3B David Freese is expected to sit out his third straight game after rolling an ankle prior to Monday's contest.