History says Reds won't blank Cardinals again tonight

The St. Louis Cardinals couldn't say goodbye to the Cincinnati Reds fast enough last week. After winning the opener 4-1, the Cardinals were shut out in consecutive games by 4-0 and 1-0 scores.

The shutouts were an anomaly for a Cincinnati club that has not pitched well the last 3 1/2 weeks. The Reds have posted a 4.85 team ERA since July 11, the second highest mark in the National League. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have posted a 2.72 ERA, lowest in the majors.

St. Louis pitchers again will have Joey Votto to deal with. The first baseman's numbers since the All-Star break are outrageous.

Votto is a big part of Cincinnati's success at the top of the lineup. The second through fourth spots in the Reds' lineup are quite formidable.

JOEY VOTTO'S STATISTICS SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK

The Cardinals are scheduled to face two right-handers (Anthony DeSclafani on Tuesday, Michael Lorenzen on Thursday) and one left-hander (David Holmberg on Wednesday) in the series, which could work to their advantage. The Cardinals hit right-handed pitching much better than they hit southpaws.

REDS' STATISTICS BY #2 THROUGH #4 LINEUP SPOTS IN 2015

St. Louis' starter Tuesday night, John Lackey, has been much more effective at home than on the road this season.

CARDINALS' HITTING VS. LHP AND RHP IN 2015

The reverse is true for Lackey's opponent, DeSclafani.

JOHN LACKEY'S HOME AND AWAY NUMBERS IN 2015

ANTHONY DESCLAFANI'S HOME AND AWAY NUMBERS IN 2015

MOST TOTAL BASES BY NL THIRD BASEMEN IN 2015