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(Sports Network) - Tim Lincecum caught a break last time he faced the Cardinals, as Albert Pujols was given the day off. He might not be so lucky tonight as Lincecum's San Francisco Giants continue a three-game series with St. Louis at Busch Stadium.

The Giants aim to remain undefeated this season when Lincecum is on the mound. San Francisco has won all three of the right-hander's appearances this year, including his four-inning relief stint on April 2 that came about after his start was scratched due to the threat of poor weather at the start of the game.

Lincecum got a win on that day and earned a no-decision versus San Diego on April 8 despite six innings of one-run ball. He then improved to 2-0 on the season Sunday after holding the Cardinals to six hits and two runs over six innings while striking out 11. He struck out Ryan Ludwick and Chris Duncan three times each, though he also didn't face Pujols, who pinch-hit late in the game after not starting.

The 23-year-old improved to 2-0 in two career starts against the Cardinals after also beating them in St. Louis on July 7 last year.

Pujols was key to St. Louis' win in Friday's opener, launching a three-run homer as part of a six-run fourth inning for St. Louis on the way to an 11-1 victory. Pujols ended with two hits and four runs batted in, as he leads the Cardinals in average (.375) and RBI (14). His four home runs are also tied for the team lead, and he has two hits in three career at-bats versus Lincecum.

Todd Wellemeyer tossed seven innings of one-run ball for the Cardinals, who have won three of four and lead the National League Central with a 12-5 mark. Wellemeyer (2-0) struck out six and walked two while allowing just four hits, and Skip Schumaker and Duncan combined for four hits, four RBI and six runs scored out.

Matt Cain (0-2) was tagged for nine runs on eight hits, walking three and surrendering a pair of homers in just 3 2/3 innings. Fred Lewis was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI for the Giants, who managed just five hits and dropped their third straight while losing the opener of a three-city, seven-game road trip.

St. Louis' Joel Pineiro made his season debut last Sunday against the Giants, and will hope to improve on that outing this afternoon. Pineiro began the year on the disabled list due to a right shoulder injury, and was tagged for six runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work in his first-ever start versus San Francisco.

Control wasn't a problem for the right-hander, as he threw 68 pitches, with 52 of those being for strikes. He gave up a home run to John Bowker, who knocked in three runs off of Pineiro and finished the game with four RBI total. Lincecum also singled home a run off of Pineiro.

The 29-year-old's earned run average against St. Louis rose to 5.79 in four games (1 start) against the Giants.

These teams split a four-game set in San Francisco last weekend, but San Francisco has won six of the last nine meetings between the clubs. In their lone visit to St. Louis last season, the Giants took two of three games.