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(AP) -- Edwin Jackson is stepping right into the fire with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The veteran right-hander, acquired from Toronto in an eight-player trade Wednesday, will start for St. Louis on Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Jackson was 7-7 with a 3.92 ERA this season with the White Sox, who shipped him to Toronto early Wednesday.

 He was then sent to St. Louis a few hours later.

Jackson was dealt to St. Louis along with relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel, and outfielder Corey Patterson in exchange for outfielder Colby Rasmus and pitchers Trever Miller, Brian Tallet and P.J. Walters.

Jackson will replace Kyle McClellan in the starting rotation.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)