Pittsburgh @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 7, St. Louis 0

THE STORY: The Pittsburgh Pirates aims for a series split Sunday when they play the finale of a four-game set against the Cardinals in St. Louis. The Cardinals, who trail Milwaukee by 10 1/2 games in the National League Central, won the first two games of the series 8-4 and 5-4 before the Pirates bounced back with a resounding 7-0 triumph Saturday. Brad Lincoln and two relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), FS St. Louis

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (9-7, 3.09 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle Lohse (11-8, 3.73).

Karstens enjoyed an excellent first half, posting a 2.28 ERA through July 20, but he is 1-2 since with 22 runs allowed in 33 2/3 innings. He lasted only 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis Aug. 16, allowing three runs on six hits, but Karstens pitched well in his last start (seven innings, two runs) despite losing to Milwaukee. Karstens has fared well in the past against the Cardinals, yielding only three runs in 19 1/3 innings over three starts prior to this season. Lohse capped a five-start unbeaten streak with an Aug. 17 win at Pittsburgh (seven innings, five hits, two runs, seven strikeouts) before being pounded in his last outing for eight runs in three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 23. One of the few starters who has been better on the road, Lohse is 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA in St. Louis. He has fared consistently well against the Pirates, however, going 6-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 lifetime starts. Pittsburgh first baseman Derrek Lee is 10-for-25 (.400) with two homers against Lohse.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (62-70): Pittsburgh was in a three-way tie atop the NL Central July 25 but has faded quickly since, losing 23 of its last 32 to fall 17 games back of Milwaukee. The Pirates have struggled offensively for much of the year, ranking near the bottom of the National League in runs scored (509) and most other categories. A starting pitching staff that performed well during the first half of the season has hit the wall, particularly Karstens and righthander Charlie Morton (9-7, 3.63).

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (69-64): Amazingly, St. Louis actually led the division outright by a half-game July 27, but the Cardinals are 12-12 in August while the Brewers have won 20 of 25 to run away from the pack. An offense that has hit into a league-leading 143 double plays still boasts a number of potent bats, led by first baseman Albert Pujols (.288, 31 HRs, 78 RBIs) and right fielder Lance Berkman (.290, 29 HRs, 79 RBIs). The St. Louis bullpen has blown 23 of 58 save opportunities.

FINAL PITCH: In addition to its astounding double-play numbers, St. Louis ranks last in the National League with 44 stolen bases in 75 attempts.