Milestones are nicer when they are accomplished during victories. In Mark Mulder's case, it's going to take a victory if he's going to achieve a milestone on Monday night in Cincinnati.

Mulder will shoot for his 100th career win as the Cardinals open a seven-game road trip with the first game of a two-game series at Great American Ballpark. It won't be an easy assignment for Mulder to reach triple figures in wins, given that the Reds have been an effective offensive club all year in ascending to first place in the National League Central.

Mulder has been relying on the double-play ball to frustrate the opposition. He has already induced nine double plays, which is tops in the National League.

The Cardinals offense will face a challenge in trying to provide the run support for Mulder to reach No. 100. Cincinnati right-hander Bronson Arroyo has flourished since coming to the NL in the deal that sent Wily Mo Pena to Boston.

"Getting 100 wins after just over six years would mean I've done some good things for some good teams," Mulder said. "But at the same time, you don't dwell on it because there is so much more to do."

Pitching matchup
STL: LHP Mark Mulder (2-0, 3.53 ERA)
Mulder is ready to shoot for the milestone victory against a first-place team.

CIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (4-0, 2.34 ERA)
Arroyo was a key to Cincinnati's inspired April performance.

Player to watch
Third baseman Scott Spiezio continues to give the Cardinals solid production with starter Scott Rolen recovering from bronchitis. With his 2-for-5 outing on Sunday, Spiezio enters the Cincinnati series with a .297 batting average.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• Fox Sports Net/Midwest

On radio
• KTRS

Up next
• Tuesday: Cardinals (RHP Sidney Ponson, 3-0, 3.13 ERA) at Reds (LHP Dave Williams, 1-2, 9.53 ERA)
• Wednesday: Cardinals (RHP Jason Marquis, 3-2, 5.04 ERA) at Astros (RHP Roy Oswalt, 4-1, 2.76 ERA)
• Thursday: Cardinals (LHP Chris Carpenter, 3-1, 1.80 ERA) at Astros (LHP Andy Pettitte (1-4, 5.25 ERA)