I love that the Cardinals are coming off a loss here as they really step it up in these situations .273 average 5.37 runs per 9 vs. RHP, and over his career Chris Carpenter has also stepped up when his team has needed him. Carpenter has dominated the Pirates over his career 12-2 in 17 starts where the Cardinals have gone 15-2 in those games with a 2.24 ERA. Since June 23rd he has a 7-1 record and a 2.60 ERA and though he makes a start on the road I"m confident he has a great advantage the Pirates are 3-13 in their last 16 vs. RH starter following a win they are scoring just 3.37 runs per 9 vs. RHP. Expect the Cardinals to get revenge on last night's loss. Jeff Karstens has dominated the Cardinals but is still jsut 1-2 in three starts from 2010 where he gave up 3 ER over 18 IP. That still leaves 1/3 of the game open to the bullpen as he's gone 6 IP in each start. Pirates have been great at home with their bullpen but over their last 10 games they have a 6.59 ERA. Karstens also has struggled of late 7.17 ERA over his last 3 and in the month of August his last 11 starts in this month along with 6 bullpen appearances over the last 3 years have resulted in an ERA over 5. Cardinals are not the same team he saw a year ago with Berkman this offense is the #1 OPS team vs. RH pitching in the National League with a .765 OPS while the Pirates who are also facing a righty are ranked 26th in the league with a .669. They've struggled to score runs at home and Carpenter will keep that under control. Cardinals are still in a race for the playoffs and they need this game.
