Cardinals @ Pirates: Cedeno, Pearce called up

updated — The Pittsburgh Pirates have, as expected, activated Ronny Cedeno and Steve Pearce to their 25-man roster.

Chris Leroux has been optioned to Triple-A Indy.

Cedeno will be back in the starting lineup at shortstop.

Chase d’Arnaud will move over to third base and get the start, remain in the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

— Paul Maholm (6-9, 3.06) takes the mound for the start of tonight’s big three game series. Will tonight be Maholm’s last start at PNC Park? Not likely but it can’t be ruled out. The Pirates are not expecting to move Maholm but are also not hanging up the phone on trade inquiries as the two sides are not close on a new extension. Maholm is 4-0 with an 0.84 ERA in his last five starts at home.

Maholm is 4-4 with a 3.33 ERA in his career vs St. Louis.

— The Pirates get no favors with Chris Carpenter (5-7, 3.69 ERA) taking the mound for the Cards. Carpenter is 11-2 all-time vs Pittsburgh.

— The Pirates are 2-1 vs the Cards this season and 24-14 vs the Central.

— Albert Pujols has 26 career homers at PNC Park.

— All three games are sold out as Pirate officials are expecting an electric weekend.

— Thunderstorms are in the area and the tarp is on the field following warmups.

— The Pirates will appear on the Fox Game of the Week in back-to-back weeks: Aug 13 @ Brewers, Aug 20 vs Reds.

Cardinals Lineup

1. Theriot, SS

2. Jay, CF

3. Pujols, 1B

4. Holliday, LF

5. Berkman, RF

6. Freese, 3B

7.Molina, C

8. Punto, 2B

9. Carpenter, P

Pirates Lineup

1. Presley, LF

2. d’Arnaud, SS

3. Walker, 2B

4. McCutchen, CF

5. Overbay, 1B

6. Jones, RF

7. Cedeno, SS

8. McKenry, C

9. Maholm, P