Home cooking

The Cardinals booted away a chance to fatten up their record on the road. Let's hope home cooking agrees with them as they host series against the struggling Pirates and the suprising Rays starting today.

Pittsburgh is only 6-12 on the road and is 4-7 against National League Central foes.

Tampa Bay is half a game out of first in the best division in baseball, the American League East with a 22-16 mark. They have won five in a row, but they're under .500 on the road at 8-9.

Xavier Nady leads the Pirates at the plate witha .336 batting average, 5 homers and 34 RBIs.

The Rays feature a more balanced attack with Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton sparking the offense with speed.

Crawford, who would look spectacular in red and white, is hitting .287 with 3 homers, 30 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

Upton is hitting .297 with three homers, 25 runs batted in and 7 stolen bases.