Duffy, Waino set to square off in renewal of I-70 Series

As the Cardinals and Royals prepare for the first of four straight games in the renewal of the I-70 Series, they'll be looking to put an end to some recent trends. For St. Louis, that means stopping a skid where it's lost three of four series. For Kansas City, that means ending a spell of two straight series losses and three consecutive defeats in a series opener.

Left-hander Danny Duffy (2-1, 3.38 ERA) who helped end the Royals' eight-game losing streak earlier this month, will face righty Adam Wainwright in the opener on Monday at Kauffman Stadium.

Since joining the rotation, Duffy has held opponents to three or fewer runs in all but one start. And while Duffy has had outings with multiple earned runs, he's kept the Royals in the game during each of his eight starts this season, which has been an issue of late. Right-handers Chris Young and Edinson Volquez surrendered 19 runs (18 earned) in a combined 3 1/3 innings in their most recent starts.

Wainwright (6-4, 4.73) has seen his ERA decrease in each of his last seven outings. Wainwright has settled into a groove in June, giving up seven earned runs in 26 2/3 innings, as his biggest issue has become something completely out of his control. Entering Sunday, the Cards ranked fourth in the Majors with 381 runs, averaging around 5.2 per game, but that number drops to 2.3 with Wainwright on the mound in June.

Things to know about this game

• Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter has reached base in 18 consecutive games. However, he's never managed a hit against Duffy in his career, going 0-for-3.

• Entering Sunday, the Royals' bullpen had pitched 11 more innings (29) than the starters (18) over the last five games.

• The Cardinals are expected to activate catcher Brayan Pena ahead of Monday's series opener. Pena's first season appearance will also be his Cardinals debut. He injured his left knee late in Spring Training and has been rehabbing from surgery since. Eric Fryer has been serving as the team's backup catcher in Pena's absence.

• Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter will enter Monday's game having reached base in 18 consecutive games. However, he's never managed a hit against Duffy in his career, going 0-for-3.