CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- Democratic Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill and Republican challenger Todd Akin are meeting in suburban St. Louis for their second and final scheduled debate.

Thursday night's debate will be held in a high school auditorium in Clayton.

Both candidates have been preparing over the past couple days. But they'll be competing for attention with the St. Louis Cardinals, who are scheduled to host a playoff game against the San Francisco Giants at the same time as the debate.

McCaskill and Akin both have described their race as one of stark contrasts. In a debate last month, they differed on several topics, including the federal health care law and foreign policy.

McCaskill is seeking a second, six-year term. Akin has served the past 12 years in the U.S. House.