The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals continue an important National League Central series Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
Milwaukee moved four games ahead of St. Louis in the division standings after last night’s 5-3 win at Busch Stadium. The Brewers bullpen was key to picking up the victory by holding the Cardinals scoreless in four innings of work. “With our bullpen right now, I feel like any time we have a lead, I really think we’re going to win the ball game,” said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. “They’ve been doing a great job.” The starters have also done a fantastic job, producing 23 quality starts over the last 29 games. Milwaukee is 32-18 versus division opponents this year.
Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf is 8-8 with a 3.61 ERA in 23 starts this season and will be looking to win a third-straight game. The left-hander has allowed five runs and 13 hits over 13 frames in home wins over Houston and St. Louis. He will be making his 13th start away from home, posting a 3-6 mark and 3.68 ERA, which includes a 6-0 loss at Busch Stadium on May 6. In 16 career games versus the Cardinals, Wolf has tallied a 6-7 mark and 4.01 ERA, including a 2-4 record and 4.50 ERA at tonight’s venue. Milwaukee is 12-11 overall when he’s on the mound.
St. Louis had its four-game winning streak snapped last night and saw Milwaukee walk off with the biggest lead in the division this year. “We just need to win games,” said Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman. “When you have the chance to play the team that’s in front of you, you would like to take advantage of it.” The Cardinals will need Berkman, Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols to step up offensively, as they’ve combined for the most home runs as a trio in baseball (73). St. Louis is 16-15 versus left-handed starters this year.
Cardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook is 9-5 with a 4.83 ERA in 23 starts this season and the club has alternated wins and losses over his last three outings. The right-hander received a no-decision in a 3-2 road win against the Marlins last time out, giving up two runs and six hits over six innings. Westbrook is an even 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA in 11 home starts, as opponents are hitting .298 against him. In three career starts versus the Brewers, the Georgia native is 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA, including a 4-3 road loss on June 12.
At the time of this writing, St. Louis is a -127 home favorite and the total stands at 8.5 Over (-120).