Braves at Cardinals
With their high-octane offense clicking on all cylinders, the St. Louis Cardinals will vie for their fifth straight victory on Friday when they open a home series against the Atlanta Braves. Former manager Tony La Russa will have his No. 10 retired by the Cardinals prior to the contest.
St. Louis has scored 30 runs during its winning streak and finished a successful road trip by sweeping Arizona. After erupting for 44 runs in a five-game stretch, the Braves mustered just four en route to dropping two of three games versus the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals rank first in the National League with 5.61 runs per game, while the Braves sit second (5.19).
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, PTV (Atlanta), FSMW (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (2-2, 5.97 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (2-2, 3.76 ERA)
After allowing just six runs over three straight starts, Minor followed up those efforts by permitting seven and a career-high eight runs in his last two trips to the mound. The 24-year-old walked four in five innings, but was credited with a no-decision against Colorado on Saturday. He also labored through five innings in his lone career start versus St. Louis - and did not record a decision.
Garcia is riding a two-game losing skid but has fared well in his career against Atlanta. The 25-year-old Mexican is 2-0 with 15 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP versus the Braves. Garcia labored in his last outing by surrendering six runs while walking four in an 8-2 loss to Houston on Saturday.
WALK-OFFS:
1. St. Louis slugger Lance Berkman is likely to return on Friday after a 19-game absence with a strained left calf.
2. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann has just three hits and amassed six strikeouts in 17 at-bats during the first six contests of the nine-game road trip. McCann, who is batting .229 on the season, is 2-for-6 in his career versus Garcia.
3. The Braves will be facing the Cardinals for the first time since their collapse in September. St. Louis took advantage of Atlanta's misfortune and went on to win the World Series.