Record: 17-9, first in NL Central (before Tuesday night's game)

Manager: Tony La Russa

Player to watch: Skip Schumaker is the first Cardinal to move from the outfield to second base since Red Schoendienst in 1945.

Probable starters: Today, 8:15 p.m., LHP Zach Duke (3-2, 2.21) vs. RHP Todd Wellemeyer (2-2, 5.28); Thursday, 1:40 p.m., RHP Ross Ohlendorf (3-2, 3.48) vs. RHP Joel Pineiro (4-1, 3.24)

TV/radio: Tonight's game will be televised in high-def by Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. Both games will be broadcast by WPGB-FM (104.7) and the Pirates Radio Network, and on XM Radio channels 186 (tonight) and 184 (tomorrow).