Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

(Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals' last visit to Fenway Park wasn't a very pleasant experience. The Redbirds hope for a better showing this time around, when the slumping club takes on the Boston Red Sox tonight for the first of three straight interleague meetings.

St. Louis' most recent trip to Beantown came during the 2004 World Series, with the Red Sox winning both Games 1 and 2 at Fenway en route to a memorable sweep of the Cards which gave the long-suffering franchise its first world title in 86 years.

The Cardinals did get a slight measure of revenge the following season, taking two of three tests from Boston at Busch Stadium in June of 2005.

Redemption likely won't be on St. Louis' minds tonight, however. Not after the Cardinals lost all three matchups at home to the Kansas City Royals prior to this series, including last night's 4-1 setback.

St. Louis had all sorts of troubles against Zack Greinke on Thursday, as the Royals righty yielded just two hits and struck out seven Cardinals over the first seven innings. The only run Greinke allowed came via a Rick Ankiel solo homer in the bottom of the fourth.

Despite being saddled with the loss, Brad Thompson (1-2) gave a solid effort for St. Louis in his first appearance since April 22. The right-hander, activated off the disabled list prior to the game, gave up just two runs and five hits through five innings of work.

The Cardinals scored just four times over their three games with Kansas City and fell to 3-5 since star slugger Albert Pujols was placed on the DL with a calf injury on June 11.

On a more positive note, St. Louis will be sending out a pitcher on a tremendous recent roll in tonight's series opener. Kyle Lohse has won five consecutive starts and amassed an excellent 2.03 earned run average over that stretch, while having surrendered two or less runs in four of those outings.

Lohse upped his season record to 8-2 with eight outstanding innings against Philadelphia on Saturday. The former Phillie held his old team to two runs and four hits in St. Louis' 3-2 win.

The right-hander is still in search for his first victory against Boston, however. In six lifetime games (5 starts) against the Red Sox, Lohse is 0-3 with a 6.26 ERA.

Boston has won 11 of its last 15 games and sports the American League's best overall record at 46-29. The defending world champions have also been sensational on their home grounds, as the Red Sox' 28-7 mark at Fenway is tops in the majors and the club comes in having won 17 of its last 19 as the host.

The Red Sox return home after taking the final two tests of a three-game set with NL East-leading Philadelphia. Hot-hitting J.D. Drew led Boston to a 7-4 win over the Phillies in Thursday's finale, with the former Cardinal collecting four hits -- including a three-run homer -- and four RBI.

Drew is batting a scorching .441 (26-for-59) with nine homers and 21 RBI in 17 June games, and his production has certainly helped the Red Sox combat the loss of slugger David Ortiz to an injured wrist.

Mike Lowell also homered for Boston, while Dustin Pedroia picked up three hits and Brandon Moss delivered a key two-run single in Wednesday's win.

Rookie Justin Masterson added a solid showing on the mound, holding Philadelphia to two runs and just four hits through five innings to improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Red Sox will hand the ball to veteran Tim Wakefield tonight, with the knuckleball specialist hoping to extend a string of quality starts.

Wakefield has given up two or less runs and worked seven innings or more in four straight mound trips, although he's gone 1-1 over that span. In his most recent start, the 41-year-old allowed just two runs and four hits in a seven- inning no-decision at Cincinnati on Saturday.

The longtime Boston hurler is just 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in six career regular- season games (5 starts) against St. Louis. Wakefield was rocked for five runs in 5 2/3 innings in his most recent matchup with the Cardinals, a 7-1 loss on June 6, 2005.