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Astros-Cardinals Preview

Aug 1, 2010 - 11:44 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Houston (44-59) at St. Louis (58-46), 8:15 p.m. EDT

At the very least, the St. Louis Cardinals would like to get a lift from right-hander Jake Westbrook for the rest of this season. The Houston Astros are hoping right-hander Brett Myers keeps producing for them for far longer than that.

Westbrook makes his NL debut at Busch Stadium on Monday when the NL Central-leading Cardinals open a three-game series against a resurgent Astros club that just signed Myers to a contract extension.

After spending the last nine-plus seasons with Cleveland, Westbrook was acquired by St. Louis (59-46) on Saturday in a three-team deal that sent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to San Diego.

Westbrook, 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts, is not under contract following this season, but his focus is advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2007.

"The reason why you play this game is to compete for the playoffs," Westbrook said. "I'm looking forward to that."

Westbrook faces the Astros for the second time in his career. Making his fifth career start, Westbrook gave up four runs in a 5-3 loss in Houston in 2001.

He'll face an Astros team trying to win six straight for the first time since Sept. 6-11, 2008. Pinch-hitter Jason Michaels hit a seventh-inning grand slam Sunday, and Houston (45-59) capped off a 6-3 homestand with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee.

"We're having fun," said right fielder Hunter Pence. "It's just us now and we've got to look at each other, believe in each other and go out and do it."

The Astros are 19-30 on the road, but they'll look to win five straight in St. Louis in one season for the first time.

Myers (8-6, 3.10) could help them accomplish that feat. The right-hander, who has pitched at least six innings in a franchise-record 21 consecutive starts, was rewarded Sunday with a two-year extension that could be worth up to $29.5 million if the club picks up the 2013 option and he meets certain performance bonuses.

If the Astros weren't looking to re-sign him, Myers likely would have followed Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman out of town prior to Saturday's trade deadline.

"We felt this was a great opportunity for us and for him to come into Houston and re-establish himself as a solid front-line starter. We couldn't be prouder of what he's done for us," general manager Ed Wade said.

In his last start, Myers struck out a career high-tying 12 and threw a four-hitter in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

"It was a good win for the team and we needed the win," he said following his 124-pitch outing.

Myers is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts against the Cardinals this season. In his last start at Busch Stadium, he allowed two runs and eight hits in a 6-3 victory May 11.

Albert Pujols, who is batting .424 (14 for 33) with two homers and 10 RBIs versus Houston this season, is 14 for 28 with two home runs lifetime against Myers. Matt Holliday is 7 for 19 with two homers versus the Astros starter.

Astros left fielder Carlos Lee is 12 for 30 with a homer against Westbrook, but he has just one hit in 22 at-bats at Busch Stadium this season.