If the Cardinals heed Manager Gene Mauch of the Phillies, they won't be misled by the Pirates' slower start this season.

``Pittsburgh definitely is the team to beat,'' Mauch said here the other day. ``The Pirates showed they could outclass the field last year. They have the same men, no age problem, no injuries and they also have Vinegar Bend Mizell for the full season, along with Bobby Shantz.''

Tonight at 8 o'clock the Cardinals, who gave the Pirates as much trouble as anyone did in 1960, breaking even with them, will get their first 1961 shot at baseball's world champions. The Pirates have a 9 -- 6 record this year and the Redbirds are 7 -- 9.

Solly Hemus announced a switch in his starting pitcher, from Bob Gibson to Ernie Broglio, for several reasons: 1. Broglio's 4 -- 0 won-lost record and 1.24 earned-run mark against Pittsburgh a year ago; 2. The desire to give Broglio as many starts as possible; 3. The Redbirds' disheartening 11 -- 7 collapse against the Phillies Sunday.

Manager Hemus, eager to end a pitching slump that has brought four losses in the five games on the current home stand, moved Gibson to the Wednesday night starting assignment. After Thursday's open date, Solly plans to open with Larry Jackson against the Cubs here Friday night.

Harvey Haddix, set back by the flu this season, will start against his former Cardinal mates, who might be playing without captain Kenny Boyer in tonight's game at Busch Stadium. Boyer is suffering from a stiff neck.