MLB Insiders - St. Louis Cardinals

The Pirates close out a disappointing season as they host the St. Louis Cardinals in a three game series starting on Friday night.

Todd Wellemeyer (3-2, 3.28 ERA) will take the mound in the series opener for St. Louis trying to follow up Pineiro's effort. Wellemeyer had his best outing since going on the disabled list with an elbow sprain at the All-Star break, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out five over five scoreless innings versus Houston on Sunday. He did not record a decision in the Cardinals' 4-3 victory.

The right-hander has never started against Pittsburgh, but is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 relief appearances versus the Pirates.

Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke (3-8, 5.83) is also working his way back from an elbow injury, which caused him to miss nearly half the season. In his first start back Saturday at Chicago, the left-hander gave up five runs - four earned - and nine hits in four innings of a 9-5 loss to the Cubs.

Duke is 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA in six career starts against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals played Thursday night's makeup game in New York as if it were the seventh game of the National League Championship Series, such as the game they won in Shea Stadium last October.

Right-hander Joel Pineiro, a potential free agent pitching in front of many scouts and prospective suitors, tossed his best game of the season, and the Cardinals played airtight defense, mixed with just enough clutch hitting to beat the fading Mets.

"It's about representing yourself in the competition," manager Tony La Russa said. "We're trying not to embarrass ourselves. We can't get involved in what (the Mets) are trying to do."

Pineiro, using four pitches, kept the Mets off balance and worked ahead in the count all night as he went a season-high eight innings, allowing only four baserunners.

"It was my last start," Pineiro said. "I told myself I was going to give it all I have, whether it's three innings, four innings or nine."

After eight, Pineiro (6-4) told third base coach Jose Oquendo, his manager on the Puerto Rico team in last year's World Baseball Classic, that he was tiring. His message was, "I can out go there. But I'm kind of done."'

La Russa had closer Jason Isringhausen, who has blown just two of 33 save opportunities, ready to come in, and Isringhausen had an uneventful ninth.

The Cardinals are expected to try hard to re-sign Pineiro, whom they acquired from Boston in a trade-deadline swap. La Russa has noticed the club has some jump when Pineiro is pitching.

"He works quickly and makes pitches," La Russa said. "Your defense follows."

CARDINALS 3, METS 0: Shortstop David Eckstein made two excellent plays, third baseman Miguel Cairo turned a potential double into a double play in the fifth inning, and Albert Pujols was involved in all the scoring in Thursday's win at New York. The Cardinals, doomed to their first losing season since 1999, won their second consecutive game over a contending team. After beating Milwaukee 7-3 Wednesday, the Cardinals jumped Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez for three runs in the first three innings before Martinez found his form.

--RF Ryan Ludwick singled home a run in the third inning Thursday, extending his hitting streak to 10 games.

--1B Albert Pujols scored a run, giving him 97 for the season with three games to play. He is attempting to hit .300 with 30 homers, 100 RBIs and 100 runs for the seventh consecutive season -- all seven seasons he has played in the majors.

--RHP Todd Wellemeyer, who threw one-hit ball for five innings in his last start Sunday, will pitch the opener of a three-game series Friday night in Pittsburgh.

--CF Jim Edmonds, out with a strained groin, is hopeful of playing in Pittsburgh, but manager Tony La Russa probably won't risk it.

--Cardinals pitchers faced just 30 batters in nine innings Thursday. There were three Mets hits, one walk and a double play.

BY THE NUMBERS: 27 -- Number of games out of his first 58 in which closer Jason Isringhausen pitched in a non-save situation.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "What is 100 RBI going to do for me if he we still lose 80 games and we're not going to be in the playoffs?" -- 1B Albert Pujols, on missing some time late in the season because of a strained left calf.

MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Russ Springer (neck spasms) didn't pitch Sept. 24-27, but he might be available during the season-ending series.

RHP Troy Percival (sore right elbow) didn't pitch Sept. 24-27, but he might be available during the season-ending series.

C Yadier Molina (medial meniscus tear in right knee) had season-ending surgery Sept. 24.

CF Jim Edmonds (groin strain) re-injured the groin Sept. 25, and he will be limited to pinch-hitting for the remainder of the season.

LF Chris Duncan (sports hernia) aggravated the injury Sept. 9 and had season-ending surgery Sept. 20.

LHP Mark Mulder (shoulder weakness) underwent an MRI exam Sept. 18 that determined his rotator cuff hasn't healed after surgery last year. He had season-ending arthroscopic surgery Sept. 24.

3B Scott Rolen (left shoulder pain) went on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 29. He underwent season-ending surgery Sept. 11.

RF Juan Encarnacion (fractured eye socket) left the Aug. 31 game after being hit by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle. The injury is so serious, Encarnacion's season is over and his career is in jeopardy. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to Sept. 1.

2B Adam Kennedy (torn medial meniscus in right knee) went on the disabled list Aug. 13. He had surgery the next day, and he is out for the season.

RHP Chris Carpenter (right elbow inflammation) went on the disabled list retroactive to April 2. He had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs on May 8. He made two rehab appearances for Class A Palm Beach in early July before experiencing more discomfort in his elbow. He had season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery July 24.

OF Preston Wilson (cartilage damage in right knee) went on the disabled list May 6. He had season-ending surgery June 11.

RHP Josh Kinney (Tommy John elbow surgery in March 2007) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 5. He is out for the season.