(Best E Casino) - A pair of unexpected aces square off in Cincinnati today when the Reds host the St.Luis Cardinals in the finale of a three-game weekend series at Great American Ball Park.
St. Louis veteran Kyle Lohse faces first-year Red Edinson Volquez in the matchup, which provides sizzle on the mound but little significance in terms of the National League Central race.
The Cardinals remain on the edge of contention in the six-team division, trailing the first-place Chicago Cubs by seven games and the second-place Milwaukee Brewers by two. The Reds, meanwhile, are bringing up the rear, 21 1/2 games in back of the Cubs.
A 29-year-old who was originally a draft pick of the Cubs in 1996, Lohse was a Red for the back half of the 2006 season and the front half of 2007, logging 32 starts in 33 appearances while going 9-17 and allowing 213 hits in 194 2/3 innings of work.
He was dealt to Philadelphia midseason last year and was 3-0 for the Phillies in 13 appearances, then signed with the Cardinals as a low-budget free agent in the offseason before blossoming as the go-to arm on an injury ravaged staff.
He was 12-2 on the season after a 4-3 defeat of San Diego on July 17 but has won just once in five starts since, toppling the Phillies on Aug. 1 after allowing five hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Lohse had made on lifetime start against the Reds, getting a no-decision after being touched for six hits and four runs in six innings.
For Cincinnati, Volquez has been a pleasant surprise after he was acquired in the offseason for outfielder Josh Hamilton.
The 25-year-old made 20 appearances over three seasons for the Rangers, going 3-11 in 80 innings. He's been lights-out since day one in the NL, however, winning 12 of his initial 15 decisions before joining Lohse with a spot in the All-Star Game in July.
He was 1-2 with a no-decision in his initial four starts following the Midsummer Classic, but bounced back on Aug. 12 with a 5-1 defeat of Pittsburgh in which he scattered five hits and a run in 6 2/3 innings.
Volquez has never faced the Cardinals.
On Saturday, Albert Pujols hit two of St. Louis' four home runs and finished with three hits, as the Cardinals pounded Cincinnati, 9-3. Skip Schumaker added a three-run homer as part of a two-hit game, while Ryan Ludwick had a two-run shot for the Cardinals, who have won four in a row.
Joel Pineiro (6-5) had a solid start, as he allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings. He also walked none and struck out six en route to winning his third consecutive start.
Aaron Harang (3-13) was touched for eight runs on seven hits and three walks in just 3 1/3 frames. It was Harang's shortest outing of the season, and he has now lost three consecutive decisions.
Brandon Phillips and Andy Phillips each hit a solo homer for the Reds, who have lost three of four.
The Cardinals have won six of their eight encounters with the Reds this season and took two of three from Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park in June.
