The St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers have endured problems that could have made this weekend less significant -- or even virtually meaningless.
But the teams have held strong to this point in the season, setting up a three-game series between the top clubs in the National League Central with a possible lead change at stake.
Zack Greinke faces the Cardinals Saturday. (AP Photo)
The Cardinals have suffered the loss of ace Adam Wainwright for the season, two separate injuries that have cost All-Star left fielder Matt Holliday 21 starts and a prolonged slump by superstar Albert Pujols (who recently has started to resemble his normal self).
They’ve cleared those obstacles to hold down first place in the division as they head to Miller Park to face their closest competition Friday.
The Brewers started the season with ace Zack Greinke and All-Star right fielder Corey Hart on the disabled list, then had to maneuver through Yovani Gallardo’s early inconsistency and a team-wide offensive slump for the ages last month before settling into second place in the division.
The teams’ pitching staffs have been similar in their mediocrity, but their respective offenses rank in the league’s top five in most of the major categories. Each club should consider itself fortunate to throw two of its best starting pitchers over the weekend.
Game 1 features St. Louis' Kyle Lohse (7-2, 2.41 ERA) against Brewers lefty Chris Narveson (2-4, 4.85). Lohse is 3-0 in his last four starts with a 1.80 ERA in those decisions.
Right-handers Chris Carpenter (1-5, 4.25) and Greinke (5-1, 4.83) will square off on Saturday. Carpenter has struggled this season, but his 3.43 FIP and 3.28 xFIP show he’s been better than his record and ERA. He delivered a nine-inning, two-run performance against the Chicago Cubs in his last start. Greinke has shaken off early rust to deliver quality starts in his last three outings, including his best of the season – two runs over seven innings against the Florida Marlins – in his last start.
The finale, a game that could decide which team takes over first place heading into next week, will pit St. Louis’ Jake Westbrook (6-3, 5.01) against Milwaukee’s Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.58). With Greinke missing the first month and Gallado yo-yoing for parts of this season, Marcum has emerged as the staff ace and has four quality starts in his last five turns.