Jeff Gordon previews tonight's St. Louis Cardinals-Pittsburgh Pirates game at PNC Park (6:05 p.m., FSM):
THE STAKES: By winning their third consecutive game, the Cardinals climbed within 2 ½ games of the National League Central lead. Their 10-2 victory at Pittsburgh left them just one game back in the wild card race, too.
But they are still trying to undo the damage of their recent five-game losing streak. Can they finally build and sustain real momentum? Can they finally achieve consistent success away from Busch Stadium?
They have nine games left on this road trip, so their challenge is considerable.
PITCHING FOR THE CARDINALS: Adam Wainwright (17-7, 2.06 ERA): He continues his quest for the Cy Young Award against a team he has handled well. Wainwright went 4-0 with a 3.65 ERA in his last four starts against the Pirates.
But he needs to be careful against Andrew McCutchen (5 for 11, double against Wainwright in his career), Garrett Jones (5 for 12, three RBIs) and Ronny Cedeno (5 for 16, two walks, two RBIs).
PITCHING FOR THE PIRATES: Paul Maholm (7-12, 4.92 ERA): He is still another crafty lefthanded pitcher who has given the Cards a tough time. He has a 3.48 ERA in 11 career starts against them.
But Albert Pujols (16 for 27, four doubles, homer, six walks) has beat up Maholm over the years. Randy Winn (6 for 20, double, two RBIs) has done enough against him in his career to earn starting consideration. On the other hand, Matt Holliday (1 for 14), Yadier Molina (3 for 18) and Brendan Ryan (3 for 17) have scuffled against him.
LINEUP INTRIGUE: With Colby Rasmus still hobbled by his strained calf muscle, rookie Allen Craig is slated for another start in right field.
This is a big opportunity for Craig, a productive collegiate and minor league hitter still trying to establish himself at this level. In his last two starts he is 3 for eight with a double, a homer, two runs scored, two walks and three RBIs. He demonstrated his versatility by making a cameo appearance at second base, too.
Rookie catcher Bryan Anderson figures to get a start at some point, since Molina is only human. Anderson came off the bench to stroke an RBI single Monday, then take an inning behind the plate.
Felipe Lopez got a start at shortstop Monday, giving Ryan a rare break. He did a nice job defensively, reminding fans that he is a natural middle infielder -- and NOT a natural third baseman.
And speaking of third, Pedro Feliz continues to hold up there nicely. He was 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored, leaving him 7 for 17 with five runs scored and two RBIs as a Cardinal. His pennant race euphoria will wear off at some point, but he has adjusted nicely to his new environment.
Skip Schumaker got another spin in the leadoff spot and reached base twice in five plate appearances. Step by step, he has recovered from his terrible offensive start.
BULLPEN INTRIGUE: Mitchell Boggs and Mike MacDougal delivered encouraging performances behind Kyle Lohse on Monday. The Cards have been struggling on the right side of the pen with Jason Motte injured.
Motte, by the way, could return by the end of this road trip. He is heading out on a rehab assignment to continue his comeback from a sprained shoulder.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Tommy Pham was finally making his big move in the Cardinals organization . . . and then he suffered a small wrist fracture, the result of being hit by a pitch.
Pham is batting .339 (41-for-121) at Class AA Springfield this season. He moved him from Class A Palm Beach on July 3 and took over the leadoff hitting role.
"I was pretty upset hearing the news," Pham told the Springfield News-Leader. "I've been hit in the hand before. But when you're hit on the hand in a spot you're not supposed to be hit on, it's not too good."
Pham, a 16th-round pick in 2006, posted low batting averages during his first four minor league seasons. But he finally found his stroke this season at the "high A" level and then broke through as an impact player in the Texas League.
