GAME 2 Edwin Jackson will get the call for the Cardinals. He has been a great pick-up for the Cardinals thus far posting a 6-2 record since joining the team, with an ERA of 3.79. Jackson earned a win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the NLDS, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings. The Right-Hander is 1-0 in his last 3 trips to the hill but the Cardinals have brought home a victory in 3 of those previous starts, including a seven-inning, one-run win over Milwaukee on Aug. 30. In three starts against the Brewers this season, including a 7 inning outing where he was shelled for 8 runs off 14 hit in 7 innings. Jackson went 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA. Overall Jackson has allowed 3 runs or less against the Brewers in 4 of his 5 career starts against them since 04. The Cardinals are no strangers to having their backs against the wall after overcoming a 10 1/2-game deficit just to reach the postseason, and have shown that they will not fold. The Cardinals have received a huge lift from third baseman David Freese after he hit a three-run shot Sunday his second homer of the postseason, but there hasn't been much production from the club's other corner infielder, Albert Pujols. The three-time MVP is batting .333 (8 for 24) in the postseason, but he has driven in just one run in those six games. This is the 19th time this season, and first in the playoffs since the Cardinals won the 1982 World Series in seven games. The Cardinals have pulled off 13 wins out of 18 road games and are 6-2 in last 8 meetings against the Brewers.
Shawn Marcum will counter for the Brewers hoping to redeem himself from his last outing. Marcum was lit up in Game 3 of the NLDS, allowing seven runs in 4 2/3 innings to suffer the loss at Arizona. Although, the Brewers have one of the most winning records at Miller Park they have dropped 11 of his 17 starts there. Marcum went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA against the Cardinals in 2011, But the bats have come to life for Milwaukee. Braun hit a home run in the first inning and added a two-run ground-rule double in the fifth inning to pull Milwaukee within 5-4. Fielder followed and gave the Brewers the lead, blasting another Homerun. Milwaukee has not lost in the postseason at Miller Park and Fielder and Braun have combined for 12 RBIs in the four home games. But Braun is just 2 for 10 off Jackson in 2011. and Marcum is struggling right now allowing 5 or more runs in his last 3 of 4 games including 2 games where he gave up 7 runs in each of those starts in less than 5 innings of pitching. I'm backing the Cardinals here. They have more power than Arizona.
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Al play-offs monday
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