(Sports Network) - Roy Oswalt tries to rebound from back-to-back shaky outings this evening when the Houston Astros play the rubber match of their three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Oswalt received a no-decision last Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, as he allowed five runs and 11 hits in six innings of a 7-5 loss. He had surrendered six runs and 11 hits in losing to the Texas Rangers in his previous start.

The 30-year-old right-hander, who leads the majors with 116 wins since making his debut in 2001, has struggled all season, posting just a 4-4 mark to go along with a 5.61 earned run average -- more than two points higher than his previous career high of 3.49 set in 2004. He is also near the top in the NL for the most runs (45), hits (85) and home runs (15) allowed.

Oswalt, though, has had success against the Cards over the course of his career, going 9-5 against them with a 2.85 ERA in 24 games (23 starts).

St. Louis will counter with righty Kyle Lohse, who is 4-2 with a 4.26 ERA. Lohse was brilliant on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, scattering six hits over six scoreless innings. He also struck out five without walking a batter, as he extended his unbeaten streak to three games.

Lohse defeated the Astros earlier in the year, but is just 2-4 lifetime against them with a 3.51 ERA in six games (five starts).

St. Louis got a huge pitching performance from Adam Wainwright in the second game of this series on Wednesday, as he allowed just one run over eight brilliant innings in the Cardinals' 6-1 win.

Wainwright (5-2) surrendered just one walk and struck out eight as the Cardinals snapped a two-game losing streak. Yadier Molina and Cesar Izturis each drove in a pair of runs, while Brian Barton and Brendan Ryan each collected a pair of hits and scored a run.

Ty Wigginton hit a solo home run to provide the scoring for the Astros, losers in two of their last three. Wandy Rodriguez (1-1), making his first start since being placed on the disabled list with a left groin strain April 20, took the loss after surrendering six runs -- three earned -- on six hits in 4 2/3 frames.

St. Louis has won five of eight against the Astros this season and has won seven of the last 10 matchups in the series.