After missing the last three games due to a sprained wrist, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman could return in time to face the Kansas City Royals in the final game of the I-70 series. Thus far, the series has been marked not by the hitting of Albert Pujols, Eric Hosmer or Matt Holliday but by strong pitching performances on both sides. The winner of tomorrow’s afternoon contest will take the series win overall.
Jaime Garcia (5-0, 1.64) looks to extend the Cardinals current scoreless innings pitched streak that Jake Westbrook laid out last night in the Cardinals win, 3-0. The Royals counter with Sean O’Sullivan (2-3, 4.65) whose last two starts were problematic, yet he could continue a streak of solid starting pitching from the Royals that include a shutout from Jeff Francis and five shutout innings on Saturday from rookie Nathan Adcock.
Yet the addition of Berkman to a line-up that features last night’s offensive hero, Holliday, and Pujols certainly makes the battle more difficult for the Royals in addition to having their best starter on the mound. The Cards will come with everything they have to finish off the series with a win, but if the Royals can pull it out, it would provide significant momentum heading into a week where they’re on the road for six straight against the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers.