Jeff Gordon previews tonight's St. Louis Cardinals-Cincinnati Reds game at Busch Stadium (7:15 p.m., FSM):
THE STAKES: The streaking Reds are looking to finish off the reeling Cardinals this weekend and get to work on their "magic number." Cuban reliever Aroldis Chapman and his 103-mph fastball should make their Busch Stadium debut during the three games.
The Cards are trying to pull out of their death spiral and salvage a little self-respect. They went 2-8 on their excursion through Pittsburgh, Washington and Houston to fall out of the playoff race.
Although the Cards are 10-5 against Cincinnati this season, these teams are headed in opposite directions -- in a hurry. So this much-anticipated series won't generate much buzz downtown.
PITCHING FOR THE CARDINALS: Jaime Garcia (12-6, 2.33 ERA): He is 3-0 with a 4.08 ERA against the Reds this season, thanks to ample run support. But that sort of run support disappeared for the entire rotation as the 10-game road trip dragged on.
Jonny Gomes (3 for 6, double, two RBIs) and Brandon Phillips (3 for 11, homer, four RBIs) have done the most damage against Garcia. Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce are a combined 2 for 15 with no RBIs against him.
PITCHING FOR THE REDS: Bronson Arroyo (14-8, 3.82 ERA): He is 1-2 with a 4.78 ERA against the Cards this season. Felipe Lopez (15 for 39, 1.095 OPS), Skip Schumaker (13 for 36, .400 on-base percentage) and Colby Rasmus (6 for 19, four doubles, two homers, six RBI, 1.227 OPS) have had considerable success against him.
LINEUP INTRIGUE: Tony La Russa needs to get Rasmus back on track so he can fill the No. 5 slot in the batting order. Rasmus has not driven in a run since hitting his grand slam against the Reds back on Aug. 11.
After a hot start, new third baseman Pedro Feliz has reverted to his Houston form at the plate. He is 0 for 10 in his last three starts.
BULLPEN INTRIGUE: Jason Motte and Dennys Reyes are back, but can they make a positive difference for this battered relief corps?
At least the trip ended on a positive note for the pen as Kyle McClellan, Fernando Salas and Ryan Franklin combined to allow no earned runs in three innings Wednesday.
DOWN ON THE FARM: If you're looking to see postseason baseball, the Memphis Redbirds have put playoff tickets on sale.
That team continued its postseason push with a 3-2 victory over New Orleans on Thursday night. Memphis is battling Iowa for the division title and a Pacific Coast League playoff berth.
Ex-Card Josh Kinney racked up another save; he is now 3-4 with a 1.89 ERA and 16 saves this season. Since the All-Star break, he is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 11 saves.
Memphis is 25-8 in one-run games this year. Like the Reds, they have developed an uncanny ability to come back.
"It's never over until the last out with us," shortstop Tyler Greene told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. "It's something that happened last year and it's happening again this year. We battle till the end. We're going to put together good at-bats late in the game and hope to try to make something happen."
