The St. Louis Cardinals (9-3) have held the Cincinnati Reds (4-8) to just two runs in the first two games of the series (both wins for the Cardinals), and now struggling starter Adam Wainwright will take the mound as St. Louis looks to sweep the three game set. Wainwright is making just his third MLB start since the 2010 season, and some combination of rust and poor execution has left him with an 0-2 record and an 11.42 ERA thus far in 2012. Meanwhile, the Reds turn to Bronson Arroyo, who is coming off a great performance against the Washington Nationals -- 7.1 innings, no earned runs, three hits -- but is still looking for his first win of the season.
Cards outfielder Matt Holliday has been awful at the plate so far in 2012, and Adam Berry of Cardinals.com offers some quotes from manager Mike Matheny regarding the situation:
Despite the low average, Matheny believes Holliday is hitting the ball as well as anybody on the team.
"That ball he hit to left field [for an out on Tuesday], I'll guarantee was one of the hardest balls hit in the Major Leagues this year. That ball was absolutely killed," Matheny said. "Sometimes the results just aren't a great indicator."
So what does the manager tell a player like Holliday when he's stuck amid this kind of stretch?
"You're going through a test right now," Matheny said, "so stick with it."
Lance Berkman is listed as day-to-day after re-aggravating a left calf injury and leaving Wednesday's contest in the fifth inning.
Here is what you need to find the game on Thursday afternoon:
Game Date & Time: Thursday, April 19, 12:45 p.m. CT
Starters: Bronson Arroyo (0-0, 2.63 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (0-2, 11.42 ERA)
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
TV: FOX Sports Midwest
Radio: AM 1120 KMOX (click here for full list of affiliates)
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more coverage, check out SB Nation's Cardinals and Reds blogs, Viva El Birdos and Red Reporter. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found on Baseball Nation.