Milwaukee @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2011 ) St. Louis 5, Milwaukee 10

THE STORY: The NL Central lead will be on the line when first-place Milwaukee opens a three-game series at second-place St. Louis on Tuesday. Each team had Monday off after a weekend sweep and each has a premier slugger in a groove. The Cardinals, three games back, swept four from Florida as Albert Pujols went 8-for-18 with three homers, two doubles, four RBIs and eight runs scored. The Brewers swept three from Houston as Prince Fielder went 7-for-12 with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs and seven runs scored.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Edwin Jackson (8-8, 4.11 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Shaun Marcum (10-3, 3.58 ERA).

Jackson has made two starts since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox, and they couldn’t have been more different. He tossed a one-run gem and then was hammered by the Brewers for four homers and eight earned runs. Casey McGehee had three of those homers.

Marcum has gone at least six innings in six of his last seven starts, and is 5-2 with a 2.40 ERA on the road this season. However, a week ago, the Cards touched him for seven hits, including two homers, and six earned runs in six innings.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (62-53): Third baseman David Freese, who suffered a mild concussion when hit by a pitch in his batting helmet Thursday, has been cleared to return and could be in the lineup. The bullpen was outstanding on the 5-2 road trip, going 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA over 25 1/3 innings. Manager Tony La Russa has not named his rotation beyond Jackson starting Tuesday. Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook are next in line, but Chris Carpenter could pitch Thursday on four days’ rest due to Monday’s off day. Catcher Yadier Molina’s five-game suspension ends after Tuesday’s game.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (65-50): Fielder, the All-Star first baseman, ranks among the NL’s top five in walks (74), RBIs (85), extra-base hits (55) and home runs (26). In 90 career games against the Cards, he’s batted .286 with a .417 on-base percentage and 18 homers. Corey Hart (sore left hand) and McGehee (banged knee) were out of the lineup Sunday. McGehee almost certainly will return Tuesday, while Hart’s status is unclear.

FINAL PITCH: Milwaukee leads the season series 6-3, having outscored St. Louis 45-30, but the Brewers have won just four road series all season.