The Cardinals look to Joel Pineiro to get the series sweep against the Tigers and rookie Rick Porcello. Pineiro is 5-7 on the season with an ERA of 3.99 but has lost his last four starts. He has received little run support from his offense getting only four runs or fewer of support in his past nine starts.

Porcello on the other hand is currently 7-4 with a 3.74 ERA in his first season in the big leagues. The 20-year-old Porcello went 5-0 in the month May while allowing only two runs or fewer in all five starts.

The key to this game maybe how Porcello and the Tigers pitching staff attacks Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols. Pujols has been intentionally walked 20 times this season, and he is the only player in the league to have double digit intentional walks. Manager Jim Leyland has said many times that he will not allow Pujols to beat him, and will continue to pitch around him.

This should be another low scoring game in this series with both teams’ continuous struggles at the plate. Expect another close game until the last few innings with two effective starting pitchers on the mound tonight.