Cardinals select Kelly to start Game 3 of NLDS

ST. LOUIS -- Manager Mike Matheny on Thursday officially announced Joe Kelly as his starter for Game 3 in Pittsburgh -- scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CT on TBS -- but will wait at least another day before revealing who he intends to pitch in a Game 4, should one be necessary.

Kelly thrived on the road all season, and his results at PNC Park likely weighed heavily in the Cardinals' decision to have him pitch the series' first road game. In two starts at the Pirates' home ballpark this year, Kelly limited Pittsburgh to seven hits, six walks and one earned run in 12 innings. He struck out nine.

Add in the home start Kelly made against the Bucs less than a month ago and the right-hander allowed just two earned runs in 18 innings as a starter. In total, Kelly went 5-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 19 games (seven starts) on the road in 2013.

St. Louis' other two starters -- Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha -- will be available out of the bullpen through at least Game 1. While both can offer the Cards length in relief, Matheny said that he is also open to using either in a shorter relief stint.