Astros-Cardinals preview

Reeling from a gut-wrenching loss to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday afternoon, the Astros open a two-game series at 7:15 p.m. today against the St. Louis Cardinals, who enjoyed a walk-off win over Roy Oswalt and the Phillies on Tuesday.

Since losing the middle game of their series at the Reds earlier this month when Brandon Lyon blew a save in the ninth, the club is 3-10 and has lost three in a row entering the Cardinals series. The good news for the Astros is Bud Norris is on the mound, and he’s owned Busch Stadium. He’s 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA against the Cardinals, including 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA in four career starts at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals counter with right-hander Kyle Lohse, who’s 7-7 in 15 career games, including 14 starts, against the Astros. His 2.96 ERA against the Astros is his second-lowest earned run average against any foe.

Here are the lineups:

ASTROS

CF Michael Bourn — Has reached base in 36 of 40 games with an at-bat.

2B Angel Sanchez — His eight infield hits are tied for fifth in the NL.

RF Hunter Pence — Tied for seventh in the Majors with 31 RBIs

LF Carlos Lee — Went 0-for-4 on Wednesday to snap 10-game hitting streak.

1B Brett Wallace — Ranks fifth in the majors in hitting since April with a .353 average.

3B Chris Johnson — Hitting .263 (9-for-39) in May.

SS Clint Barmes — Hitting .239 (11-for-46) in May.

C Humberto Quintero — Is in an 0-for-10 slump.

RHP Bud Norris — Ranks fifth in the Majors since 2009 with 9.44 strikeouts per nine innings.

CARDINALS

SS Ryan Theriot

CF Jon Jay

1B Albert Pujols

LF Matt Holliday

RF Lance Berkman

2B Allen Craig

C Yadier Molina

3B Daniel Descalso

RHP Kyle Lohse