AP Sports Preview Cardinals host Diamondbacks in key NL showdown ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The St. Louis Cardinals look to build on a high-scoring victory Monday night when they open a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium III. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CDT with a forecast of 78 degrees and rain. St. Louis (41-34) enters following a 12-10 win at Kansas City on Sunday. Second baseman JJ Wetherholt starred, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs. He is hitting .333 (12-for-36) with three homers and seven RBIs over his past 10 games. Arizona (39-38) dropped a 4-2 decision to Minnesota on Sunday. Right-hander Jose Cabrera tossed five scoreless innings in a no-decision, allowing three hits with three strikeouts. He is a player to watch Monday. The pitching matchup features Arizona’s Merrill Kelly (5-6) against St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante (8-4). Kelly has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four of his past six starts. Pallante has been St. Louis’ most consistent starter, winning five of his past seven decisions. The Cardinals hold a two-game lead over Arizona in the standings. Arizona enters having lost two of three to Minnesota, while St. Louis split a four-game set with Kansas City after dropping two of three. The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 Arizona victory. St. Louis is a -1.5 run favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Following Monday’s opener, the teams play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Busch Stadium before the Diamondbacks travel to Tampa Bay and the Cardinals host Miami.