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Tigers, Cardinals meet in World Series rematch

May 18, 2007 - 2:02 PM St Louis (16-22) at Detroit (24-16) 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - What a difference six months makes.

In a rematch of last season's World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Last October, the Cardinals won their first World Series in 24 years by disposing of the upstart Tigers in five games.

But it has been a major struggle this season for the Cardinals, who are in fourth place in the National League Central, 8 1/2 games behind Milwaukee.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa also has had the tough task of keep in club focused following the death of pitcher Josh Hancock, who was killed in an automobile accident on April 29.

The Tigers are proving that their Fall Classic appearance was not a mistake, posting the third-best record in the American League despite losing three of four to Boston.

But Detroit has been moving forward without key members of its rotation as Kenny Rogers (shoulder) and Jeremy Bonderman (finger) are sidelined with injuries. Hard-throwing righthander Joel Zumaya (finger) also is out until at least August.

Taking the mound in his first major league start for the Tigers will be Andrew Miller (NR), who is filling in as Bonderman's replacement in the rotation.

The sixth overall pick in 2006, Miller started this season at Class A Lakeland before being promoted to Class AA Erie. He pitched to a 8.10 ERA in eight relief appearances with the Tigers late last season.

St. Louis counters with Braden Looper (5-2, 2.29 ERA), who has been one of the Cardinals' bright spots. In his last outing, Looper tossed seven strong innings in a 5-0 win at San Diego.

The righthander is 2-0 with a lowly 1.59 ERA in six career relief appearances when facing Detroit.

Detroit went 15-3 in interleague play last season, the third-best mark behind Boston and Minnesota.