Milwaukee @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2011 ) Milwaukee 5, St. Louis 3

THE STORY: Having won 12 of 13, the Brewers look to clinch another series over the Cardinals when they play the middle game of their three-game series Wednesday. Milwaukee is 7-3 against St. Louis this season after Tuesday's 5-3 win in 10 innings, and leads the Cards by four games in the NL Central. The Brewers have not held a division lead this big since 2007, when they squandered an 8 ½ game lead to the Cubs. Tuesday’s game at Busch Stadium was St. Louis’ sixth home sellout this year.

TV: 8:15 p.m., FS-M, FSN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (9-5, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Randy Wolf (8-8, 3.61 ERA) –

Westbrook’s ERA has dropped almost half a run over the last month, as he’s allowed 11 earned runs over his last five starts. He’s pitched well in three career starts against the Brewers, going 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA. However, Westbrook has a 6.30 ERA at Busch Stadium this season.

Wolf gave up nine hits and five runs over six innings against St. Louis last Wednesday, but still got the win. Lifetime he’s 6-7 with a 4.01 ERA against the Cards in 16 starts. Lance Berkman is just 3-for-30 (.100) against the lefty, but Albert Pujols is 10-for-34 (.294) with two homers and 11 RBIs.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (62-54): Third baseman David Freese returned from his concussion on Tuesday and went 2-for-5 with an RBI single. Manager Tony La Russa bumped starter Kyle Lohse back from Wednesday to Friday to give him more rest, enabling the Cards to start Chris Carpenter in Thursday’s series finale. The bullpen held the Brewers to just one run on nine hits in 10 innings last week at Miller Park, but Octavio Dotel was touched for two decisive runs in the 10th Tuesday. Catcher Yadier Molina is expected back in the lineup Wednesday after serving his five-game suspension for bumping an umpire during an argument.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (66-50): Ryan Braun’s error Tuesday was his first this season. Right fielder Corey Hart, who returned after missing one game with a bruised left hand, has a nine-game hitting streak. His two-run homer Tuesday was his fourth homer during the streak. The Brewers have won four straight road games for the first time since sweeping a series in Florida more than two months ago. Milwaukee is 25-35 on the road.

FINAL PITCH: Hard-throwing St. Louis rookie Lance Lynn left Tuesday’s game in the ninth with a left oblique strain.