Cardinals at Brewers
The St. Louis Cardinals have a desire to move closer to the top of the National League Central standings, and they have a chance to do that when they open a four-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. The Cardinals are 4 1/2 games behind the Brewers and Chicago Cubs, who are in a virtual tie for first place in the division.
St. Louis' slump has prevented it from moving upward as Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Philadelphia was its sixth in eight games and ninth in the last 15. Yadier Molina went deep twice and recorded three RBIs for his fifth career multi-homer performance, but his two-run blast in the sixth inning was the team's lone hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position. Milwaukee had its contest in Pittsburgh on Wednesday postponed by rain after splitting the first two games of the series. Jesus Aguilar is 6-for-13 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last four games and has hit 14 shots overall, two shy of last season's total.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (3-3, 2.73 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Brent Suter (7-4, 4.30)
Martinez has issued 18 walks over just 12 2/3 innings in three starts since returning from a four-week absence due to a lat muscle injury. The 26-year-old is winless over his last four starts, with his most recent victory coming against the Chicago White Sox on May 2. Martinez is 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA in two turns against the Brewers this season and stands 6-4 with a 1.95 ERA in 25 career appearances (14 starts) versus Milwaukee.
Suter was slated to start the rained-out game in Pittsburgh, and the Brewers didn't announce their pitching plans before catching the flight home. The 28-year-old has won six of his last eight decisions, including a victory over the Cardinals on May 28, and is 1-2 with a 4.10 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against St. Louis. Right-hander Junior Guerra, who was Thursday's scheduled starter prior to the rainout, owns a 3-5 record and 2.89 ERA but is winless in his last six outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez (shoulder) received treatment after Wednesday's contest and hopes to play in the series opener.
2. Brewers LF Ryan Braun (thumb) is doubtful after undergoing a cryotherapy injection to relieve nerve pain on Wednesday.
3. St. Louis RHP Michael Wacha (oblique) will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday after working just 3 2/3 innings on Wednesday before leaving.