Cards Lineup with sweep of Brewers on the line (4/29)

For the first time in nearly five years, new manager Mike Matheny and his Saint Louis Cardinals have an opportunity to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers in a three game series inside Busch Stadium.

With the team eyeing that exact feat entering today's contest, Jaime Gacia will be on the mound to face arguably the Brewers best starting pitcher, Zack Greinke--in a 1:15 p.m. Central start time.

The Cardinals are currently 4-1 against Milwaukee this season--which is who the team faced last season in the National League Championship Series with the World Series on the line. The Cardinals won that series in six games, which marked the final meeting between the two ballclubs with the presence of Albert Pujols in white and red; and Prince Fielder sporting the dark blue and brown.

Milwaukee will try avoid being swept and falling even farther behind the first-place Cards' in the National League Central division race--which as of right now is at five whole games.

The Cardinals enter the contest owning an impressive record of 14-7; while reigning National League Most Valuable Player award winner Ryan Braun and his Brewers currently stand at 9-12.

Here is a peak at the lineup that Matheny is putting on the field for this afternoons game:

1. Rafael Furcal (shortstop)
2. Jon Jay (centerfield)
3. Matt Holliday (left field)
4. Carlos Beltran (right field)
5. David Freese (third base)
6. Yadier Molina (catcher)
7. Matt Carpenter (first base)
8. Skip Schumaker (second base)
9. Jaime Garcia (starting pitcher)

With the team once again eyeing an opportunity at the first sweep of the season, Matheny decided to stick with the big-boppers in the lineup. This game is certainly more important than most games in late April, as the Cardinals currently lead the Brewers by five games. Today's game is a two-game-swing in the standings as every division game is--and Milwaukee is a team that many anticipate to stick around and battle for the Central division crown all season long. Play ball!