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Cardinals try to remain in wild card race vs. Pirates

Sep 12, 2008 - 10:10 AM St. Louis (78-68) at Pittsburgh (60-86) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Because of their inability to win tight games recently, the Cardinals have been unable to close the gap in the National League wild-card chase. Fortunately for St. Louis, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been all that competitive lately.

The Cardinals hope to remain in the NL playoff picture on Friday when they meet the Pirates.

One reason St. Louis hasn't been unable to significantly trim the 4 1/2-game lead that Milwaukee (83-64) enjoys in the wild-card race has been its frustrating inability to prevail in one-run contests -- the Cardinals are 1-10 in such games since July 22.

Despite watching Albert Pujols join Al Simmons and Ted Williams as the only players in baseball history to post eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons to begin their career on Thursday, St. Louis suffered another aggravating one-run loss in a 3-2 setback against the Cubs.

However, St. Louis may be catching a break this weekend as Pittsburgh has lost in convincing fashion for the better part of the last month and enters this series on a six-game slide. The Pirates have won only three times over their last 20 games, being outscored by 3.4 runs per game in that span.

Due to Kyle Lohse dropping his appeal of a five-game suspension for allegedly throwing near the head of Cincinnati pitcher Edinson Volquez last month, the Cardinals have temporarily reshuffled their rotation. As a result, Brad Thompson (5-2, 4.61 ERA) will make his fifth start of the season.

The righthander has made 19 appearances out of the bullpen, but has thrived in his limited opportunities in the rotation, where he is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in first four turns. In his last start on August 15, he collected the win after allowing three runs - two earned - and three hits over five innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds.

He will be opposed by Paul Maholm (8-8, 3.74), who is winless over his last four outings. The lefthander was unable to secure a decision in Saturday's 7-6 loss vs. the San Francisco Giants despite yielding one run and seven hits over six innings.