New York @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2011 ) St. Louis 6, NY Mets 2

THE STORY: In the past four weeks, the St. Louis Cardinals have made up seven games in the National League wild-card race. But they still have 2 1/2 games to go and only nine games left to finish the job. The Cardinals will continue their chase of the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, when they begin a three-game series against the New York Mets at Busch Stadium. The Mets need to win eight of their last nine to avoid a third consecutive losing season.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, SNY, Fox Sports Midwest

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (7-12, 4.48 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Edwin Jackson (12-9, 3.71 ERA)

Pelfrey has only one win in nine starts since July 27, but he has pitched well in his last two outings. He allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings of a 5-4 win against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 9 and followed it with a strong start Wednesday against Washington, allowing two unearned runs over seven innings of a 2-0 loss. Pelfrey is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two starts and a relief appearance against the Cardinals.

Jackson has given the Cardinals a shot in the arm since he was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in late July, going 5-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 10 starts for St. Louis. He has won his last three decisions, including Wednesday's start at Pittsburgh, where he allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings for his sixth consecutive quality start. Jackson has never faced the Mets.

ABOUT THE METS (73-80): New York took two of three from Atlanta to halt a six-game losing streak and rebound from a 1-8 homestand. Ruben Tejada was Sunday's hero with four RBIs from the leadoff spot. Tejada played in place of Jose Reyes, who got a routine day off but is expected to play the next nine games. Reyes is hitting .331, two points behind Milwaukee's Ryan Braun for the National League lead. Angel Pagan also sat out Sunday's 7-5 win with a sore quadriceps, but he is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (84-69): The Cardinals trailed the Braves by 9 1/2 games after a third consecutive loss Aug. 24, but they've gone 17-6 since while Atlanta has struggled. St. Louis has won 10 of its past 12 after taking three of four from Philadelphia. Lance Berkman, who is is 5-for-10 with two homers against Pelfrey, was one of the heroes Monday with his 31st home run and an RBI single. Albert Pujols added an RBI double to reach base safely in his 34th consecutive game. The Cardinals' last nine games are three apiece against the Mets, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros, a trio that is a combined 72 games below .500.

FINAL PITCH: Pujols is hitting .299 with 36 home runs and 96 RBIs. He is trying to post his 11th consecutive season hitting at least .300 with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs.