Houston @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 9, 2011 ) St. Louis 9, Houston 2

THE STORY: St. Louis looks to break free from a three-way deadlock atop the National League Central when it hosts Houston on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series. The Cardinals had won three straight before suffering a 4-3 defeat in 10 innings at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Astros, who sport the worst record in the major leagues, were swept by the Cubs in Chicago over the weekend.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports, Dish 446 & 9514, DirecTV 678 (Houston), Fox Sports (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Astros LH J.A. Happ (4-11, 5.88) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle McClellan (6-6, 4.34).

Happ has been nothing if not consistent in recent weeks, allowing five runs in each of his last four starts. He has given up 25 earned runs (27 overall) in his last 25 2/3 innings dating back to June 20, but the Houston offense allowed him to break a 10-start winless streak in a 7-6 victory over Washington on July 19. Happ is 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA in seven career starts against St. Louis, including a lopsided loss to the Cardinals on June 9 (5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 6 ER). Like Happ, McClellan has been getting roughed up a bit, giving up 17 runs in 24 innings over his last four starts. He is winless in eight starts after beginning the season 6-1, posting just one quality start in his last seven outings. His last victory, though, came against the Astros on May 19, when McClellan allowed two runs on five hits in eight solid innings. Houston right fielder Hunter Pence is 8-for-16 against McClellan, but the rest of the Astros are 13-for-63 (.206).

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (53-48): St. Louis has been carried by its offense, which leads the National League in batting (.268), runs (474) and on-base percentage (.340). A key has been the resurgence of Lance Berkman, who leads the club with 27 home runs and 69 RBIs. Albert Pujols (.276, 22 HRs, 60 RBIs) battled an uncharacteristic slump earlier in the season but has come on of late, and Matt Holliday (.310, 14 HRs, 51 RBIs) is also enjoying an All-Star season.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (33-68): Houston has gone from bad to worse over the season, fading into oblivion by losing 34 of its last 44 games. One of the biggest problems has been the pitching staff, which ranks last in the National League in ERA at 4.63. The bullpen has been an unmitigated disaster, converting just 12 of 31 save opportunities. Pence, the subject of numerous trade rumors, leads the offense with a .308 average, 11 home runs and 62 runs batted in. Center fielder Michael Bourn leads the majors with 37 stolen bases.

FINAL PITCH: The Cardinals have won six of eight against Houston this season, outscoring the Astros 48-31.