(My Sportsbook) - Right-hander Jeff Karstens aims for a second straight victory as the National League's early season surprise team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, head to Milwaukee to begin a three-game series with the Brewers at Miller Park.

Pittsburgh, which finished dead last in the NL's Central Division last season, is a surprising 11-7 through 18 games and trails first-place St. Louis by just 1 1/2 games after winning the final two of a three-game weekend series in Houston.

Karstens, acquired last season from the New York Yankees, got a no-decision in a 6-3 loss to the Astros in April 16, but pitched well in a subsequent start, allowing just a run and three hits over six innings of a 3-2 win against the Florida Marlins.

He was 2-6 with the Pirates in nine starts last season after going 3-5 over 15 appearances -- nine starts -- with the Yankees in 2006-07.

Karstens started against the Brewers twice last season, dropping one decision while surrendering 10 hits and four earned runs in 12 1/3 innings.

For Milwaukee, veteran right-hander Braden Looper looks to continue an early season run of success with his new team. Formerly in St. Louis, Florida and New York, Looper signed a one-year deal with the Brewers in the offseason that will pay him $4.75 million this year.

He opened with a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on April 10, but has since strung together wins over Cincinnati and at Philadelphia while allowing 11 hits and three runs in 12 innings.

Overall, he's permitted just four earned runs in 17 innings while walking seven and striking out nine.

Looper was 1-1 in two starts against Pittsburgh in 2008, posting a 2.84 earned run average in 12 2/3 innings.

On Sunday in San Diego, Adam LaRoche hit a pair of homers, including a three- run shot, to lead the Pirates to an 8-3 win in the finale of a three-game series with the Padres.

LaRoche also walked twice, while Robinzon Diaz and Brian Bixler each had a hit and two runs batted in for the Pirates. Pittsburgh took the final two games by a combined 18-4 score and has won five of six overall.

Ross Ohlendorf (2-2) took the win after allowing three runs on five hits in seven-plus innings, with three walks and two strikeouts. John Grabow finished the game for the Pirates by pitching two perfect innings.

In Houston, Ivan Rodriguez's solo home run in the fourth inning was the difference, as the Astros took the finale of a three-game series from Milwaukee and avoided the home sweep with a 3-2 win at Minute Maid Park.

Mike Cameron recorded two doubles, a walk, a run scored and an RBI for Milwaukee, which was vying for a fifth straight win. Jason Kendall had two hits and an RBI in the loss.

Manny Parra (0-4) was charged with three runs -- just one earned -- on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in defeat.

The Brewers dominated the season series with the Pirates last year, winning 14 of the 15 meetings, including each of the last 12 contests. Milwaukee won all nine meetings at Miller Park versus Pittsburgh last year and has bested the Pirates in 15 straight as the host.

The Pirates haven't won in Milwaukee since May 3, 2007.