Toronto @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2011 ) Toronto 6, St. Louis 3

THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays send their best pitcher to the mound Sunday in an attempt to sweep a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals. The Blue Jays are 5-5 over their last ten games and have a 4-4 record on the lengthy road trip. The Cardinals are 3-7 over their last 10 games, and take a 3-5 record into the final game of their homestand.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (6-7, 2.98 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle McClellan (6-3, 3.73). Romero is coming off a tough 2-0 loss at Atlanta when he allowed a two-run homer to opposing pitcher Tim Hudson. Romero is 1-3 over his last four starts, although his ERA during that span is 3.25. Romero has been tough against right-handed batters, who are hitting .217 against him. He has not pitched as well in day games, when opponents are hitting .261 against him with a 4.62 ERA. He has made one career appearance against the Cardinals and worked eight scoreless innings in a no-decision. McClellan is coming off a strong start against the Phillies when he allowed only one run in seven innings and received a no-decision. He has not won since May 19. McClellan has been tough on left-handed hitters, who are batting only .188 against him. Righthanders, though, are hitting .291. McClellan's ERA in day games is 1.66 runs higher (4.85) than it is at night. McClellan has made only one career appearance against the Blue Jays, allowing one run in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (38-39): Jose Bautista has been taking ground balls at third base and may start some games at the position while Brett Lawrie is recovering from a broken left hand. Edwin Encarnacion has started two games and is 3-for-8 with a double and a home run. Juan Rivera is only 3-for-16 in the six games on the road trip, but hit a long home run Saturday. Aaron Hill is 5-for-12 over his last three games. Corey Patterson has struck out seven times in his last 12 at-bats.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (41-37): Skip Schumaker is 3-for-8 while hitting in the No. 9 spot. He has a six-game hitting streak and is 8-for-18 during that stretch. Jon Jay is 4-for-10 over the last three games. Lance Berkman is hitless in his last eight at-bats and is 6-for-28 on the homestand. Troubled reliever Ryan Franklin made his first appearance in 10 days Saturday and pitched two innings. He needed only six pitches to retire the side in order in his first inning, but gave up his eighth home run in the second and has allowed a run in four of his last five appearances.

FINAL PITCH: The Cardinals signed No. 1 draft pick Kolten Wong, a second baseman from the University of Hawaii. He agreed to a $1.3 million bonus and will report to Class A Quad Cities on Monday.