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Dodgers-Cardinals Preview

Jul 18, 2010 - 2:16 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Los Angeles (49-41) at St. Louis (49-41), 2:15 p.m. EDT

While it's no surprise given their recent history in St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers have failed to earn a victory in their first three games since the All-Star break.

The Dodgers are hoping a rejuvenated Vicente Padilla can end that drought Sunday and lead the short-handed team to a rare road win over the Cardinals in the finale of a four-game series.

After winning nine of 13 to conclude the first half, Los Angeles (49-42) has been outscored 17-5 in three games against St. Louis, the team the Dodgers swept out of last year's postseason.

While Los Angeles clinched its division series win at Busch Stadium, it's dropped 20 of 24 regular-season road games to the Cardinals since the start of the 2004 campaign.

St. Louis (50-41) earned its latest win by becoming the third team to shut out the Dodgers since May 27. Los Angeles managed six hits in Saturday's 2-0 defeat while playing without Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin.

Martin is expected to sit out Sunday's game with soreness in his left thumb, while Ramirez could pinch hit despite tightness in his right calf. Both were removed from an 8-4 loss on Friday night but aren't expected to head to the disabled list.

"I don't think that's a consideration," manager Joe Torre told the team's official website. "I am relieved."

If Padilla (4-2, 4.04 ERA) can match his recent efforts, Torre - who will celebrate his 70th birthday Sunday - might not need much help from his hitters. The right-hander, who returned from the DL on June 19, has a 1.25 ERA during a three-start win streak.

Padilla has recorded 20 strikeouts and just two walks during that run. He had his best outing of the season in his team's final game before the All-Star break, allowing two hits over eight innings in a 7-0 win against Chicago.

"I had a good location on my fastball and that's what's mainly working for me," Padilla said.

Padilla, who will face St. Louis for the first time since Aug. 15, 2003, is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in three career starts and four relief appearances against the Cardinals.

As they attempt to secure a season high-tying fifth straight victory, the Cardinals will try to help Jeff Suppan (0-5, 6.55) get his first win since Sept. 19.

They've batted .326 in this series after hitting .196 while getting swept in three games at Dodger Stadium from June 7-9.

"Everybody's contributing. Hopefully we'll just keep rolling," shortstop Brendan Ryan said. "Everybody is taking good at-bats."

St. Louis, however, has given Suppan only six runs of support over five starts since his return to the rotation June 15. He's gotten a combined two while dropping three consecutive starts.

The right-hander hasn't lost four straight outings since an eight-game skid July 23-Sept. 1, 2002.

Suppan had two scoreless relief appearances against the Dodgers in May but will make his first start against them since Aug. 17, 2008. He's 4-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 10 career starts against Los Angeles.

The Cardinals last won five straight from April 25-29.