Cardinals at Astros
The St. Louis Cardinals looked uncharacteristically rattled while losing three straight at Texas over the weekend, but they got back on track in a hurry. The Cardinals conclude their brief two-game interleague set at the Houston Astros on Wednesday after cruising to a 13-5 win in the series opener. Allen Craig went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs while hitting in front of Matt Holliday, who was moved to the fifth spot in the order for the first time this season.
Houston made a series of moves on Tuesday, recalling first baseman Brett Wallace and infielder Jacob Elmore from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning infielder Marwin Gonzalez to the minors while designating left-hander Wade LeBlanc for assignment. Wallace went 1-for-24 with the Astros to start the season, but he hit .326 with 11 home runs at Oklahoma City. “He’s earned the right to get back here and get an opportunity,” Astros manager Bo Porter told reporters.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (10-1, 3.42 ERA) vs. Astros LH Erik Bedard (2-3, 4.43)
Lynn, who has 15 wins in his last 16 decisions, moved into a tie for the National League lead in victories after holding the Chicago Cubs to one run over six innings on Thursday. The 26-year-old has struck out six in each of his four starts this month. He’s 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in five career games (four starts) against the Astros.
After posting a 10.32 in his first five appearances, Bedard has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight outings. The 34-year-old settled for a no-decision last Wednesday despite limiting the Milwaukee Brewers to one run over 7 1/3 innings while registering eight strikeouts. Holliday is 8-for-20 against Bedard, who was 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in four starts against the Cardinals last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros RF Justin Maxwell left Tuesday's game with a mild concussion after diving for a ball in the outfield.
2. Lynn is the first Cardinals pitcher to have at least 10 wins by the All-Star break in two of his first three seasons since Harvey Haddix in 1953-54.
3. The Astros own the American League’s worst record at 29-49, but they’re 8-4 when playing on a Wednesday.