Author: Matt Pelc | Article Posted at: June 2, 09 - 4:46 pm

Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The surprise of the NL Central may not be the struggles of the Chicago Cubs as much as it is the surprisingly play of the Cincinnati Reds.

In one of the toughest divisions in baseball, the Reds (27-23) have held tough and trail the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 2 1/2 games. Standing between them and the Brewers, however, are the St. Louis Cardinals (29-22) as the second and third place teams tussle in the second game of their four-game series.

Much of the Reds success has been tied to Bronson Arroyo (7-3, 5.12) who is tied for wins in the National League. He allowed a run on five hits in a 6-1 complete game victory in Houston on Wednesday.

Arroyo will get the start as Cincinnati goes for back-to-back wins in St. Louis for the first time in three years.

After being swept in Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Reds rebounded nicely with a victory even after Edinson Volquez, who was starting his first game after coming off the disabled list, left after the first inning complaining of numbness in his pinky and ring finger. Five relievers combined to allow an earned run in eight innings in the 5-3 win.

St. Louis has hit the skids again. After winning five straight, they have lost five of their last eight games.

To get them back on the winning track, and keep pace with the Brewers and Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals will turn to Brad Thompson (0-1, 4.30), making his first start of the season. He is starting in place of Joel Pineiro, who is out due to back spasms.