Cards unfazed by big 3's stumble

ST. LOUIS -- For two months, the St. Louis Cardinals' big three virtually were unbeatable. Then Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Joel Pineiro all lost, stalling their pursuit of the NL Central title.

The division leaders have dropped five of six overall heading into a three-game series against the second-place Chicago Cubs starting tonight. Their magic number was reduced to eight when the Cubs lost to Milwaukee on Thursday.

"We really like this club," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Sometimes it's tough. I'm not worried at all."

St. Louis is still in good shape, with a major league-high nine-game lead and only 15 games left. The Cardinals also will send two of their best pitchers to the mound against the Cubs.

John Smoltz is set for today after missing his last turn due to shoulder tendinitis. After that, Carpenter goes for his 17th win Saturday and Wainwright takes his second crack at No. 19 on Sunday after a tough-luck 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday.

Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter throws during the first inning Sunday against the Braves in St. Louis. Carpenter allowed seven earned runs on nine hits in six innings in the Cardinals' 9-2 loss. (Jeff Roberson ~ Associated Press)

Carpenter won 11 straight decisions, the longest streak in the NL this season, before stumbling Sunday when he allowed seven runs in six innings in a loss to the Braves. Wainwright has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his last 16 starts. Pineiro has lost his last two starts after winning eight straight decisions over 12 starts, giving up three runs in the first inning of Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Florida.

"It's a really rough spot for us," Pineiro said. "Hopefully the day off relaxes us and we come back strong. We've just got to stay strong and positive."

Earlier this month, the Cardinals had won 32 of 36 games started by that trio since July 1.

St. Louis has a formidable group of starters for the playoffs with Wainwright (18-8, 2.50) and Carpenter (16-4, 2.45) among the front runners for the NL Cy Young Award and Pineiro (14-10, 3.21) having a big year.

The problem mostly has been a hit or miss offense. St. Louis scored 11 runs in the lone victory in this six-game stretch and totaled five runs in four of the losses.

Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse throws during the first inning Saturday against the Braves in St. Louis. Jeff RobersonAssociated Press

St. Louis has been most vulnerable against left-handers over the course of the season, going 26-20, although it's been beating pretty much everyone since the Matt Holliday trade July 24. Still, Cubs lefty Ted Lilly represents a challenge in today's series opener.

The Cardinals were held to one run in six innings by rookie lefty Sean West on Tuesday.

"I know guys on this team can hit lefties," Ryan Ludwick said. "It seems like a lot of our low-scoring affairs tend to be more against lefties, but then we've had some big games, too. Just not as many, not as frequently."

The Cardinals got swept earlier this week by the Braves, although La Russa pointed out two of the losses were by one run. The Cardinals lost 5-2 to Florida on Wednesday but had the bases loaded in the ninth.

"We haven't changed a thing about how we've played," La Russa said. "If somebody beats you, you say you got beat and turn the page. We haven't backed off."

La Russa expects shortstop Brendan Ryan, who missed the last two starts with a jammed left pinkie, to be back in the lineup today.