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Cardinals-Giants Preview

Apr 24, 2010 - 6:15 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

St. Louis (10-5) at San Francisco (8-7), 9:05 p.m. EDT

San Francisco's Barry Zito might be close to regaining the form that won him a Cy Young Award in 2002.

If Adam Wainwright continues to pitch the way he has for St. Louis, he'll remain a candidate to win one this season.

Two of the NL's top pitchers on the young season face off when the Cardinals and Giants continue their weekend series Saturday night in San Francisco.

After going 31-43 with a 4.56 ERA over his first three seasons in San Francisco, Zito (2-0, 1.86) is off to his best start with the Giants (9-7). He was sharp again in his last outing, allowing one run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 2-1 loss at Los Angeles on Sunday.

"I felt like I did a lot of things right, and it's something to build on for next time," said Zito, who didn't win his third game last season until June 10.

The quirky left-hander hopes his early success will help him finally beat St. Louis. Zito is 0-4 with a 5.54 ERA in five starts against the Cardinals, who couldn't be happier with the way Wainwright is throwing the ball.

Doing his best to unseat Chris Carpenter as the ace of the staff, Wainwright (3-0, 1.50) is 19-7 with a 2.17 ERA over his last 30 starts.

The right-hander allowed three runs and four hits while striking out nine to record his first complete game of the season in a 5-3 win over New York on Sunday.

"I think it's kind of expected of him now," teammate Ryan Ludwick told the Cardinals' official website. "He's clarified himself as a definite No. 1. He was in the top three in Cy Young voting last year, along with (Carpenter). They get out there and they don't give in."

Wainwright is 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA in three starts against the Giants. He allowed one run and struck out 12 over nine innings in a 2-1, 10-inning win over San Francisco on July 1.

The Cardinals (10-6) hope Wainwright's early success continues as they look to bounce back after falling 4-1 in Friday's series opener.

Two-time defending Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum struck out eight in seven innings to help the Giants snap a four-game losing streak with their fourth win in five home games against St. Louis. San Francisco scored runs on a pair of errors and a wild pitch.

"We've got to take 'em when we get 'em," Lincecum said. "Whether an error or a passed ball, be happy about it and take 'em as they come."

Mark DeRosa had two hits for the Giants. The former Cardinal, 4 for 8 in his last two games, is 1 for 9 with three strikeouts against Wainwright.

Yadier Molina had two hits and drove in the lone run for the Cardinals.

After doubling Friday, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols is 14 for 29 in his last nine games against San Francisco. He is 5 for 10 with two home runs when facing Zito.