AP Preview: Marlins at Cardinals ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, two teams separated by just three games in the standings, open a pivotal three-game series Friday night at Busch Stadium III. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. CT. Miami (42-39) enters the matchup having won three of its last four games, including a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. The Marlins sit just three games above .500 and are looking to build momentum against a Cardinals team that holds a 42-36 record. St. Louis (42-36) arrives having lost three straight games, most recently a 9-4 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. The Cardinals have dropped five of their last seven contests and are seeking to halt a skid that has eroded their early-season gains. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for the Marlins. Despite that forecast, St. Louis has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5. The over-under for the game is set at 8 total runs. Players to watch For Miami, right-hander Eury Pérez is expected to take the mound. Pérez worked 4 2/3 innings in his most recent appearance Wednesday against Texas, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out one in a winning effort. His command and ability to limit damage will be critical against a Cardinals lineup that has scuffled recently. For St. Louis, first baseman-third baseman Blaze Jordan has been a bright spot amid the team’s struggles. Jordan went 2 for 3 with three RBIs in Wednesday’s loss to Arizona. Over his past seven games, he has driven in seven runs, though he has managed just one extra-base hit in that span. Recent history The Marlins took two of three games from the Cardinals in Miami from April 20-22, winning the most recent meeting 4-1. St. Louis won the middle game of that series 5-3. Looking ahead The series continues Saturday and Sunday before Miami travels to Colorado for a four-game set and St. Louis visits Atlanta for three games. Projected pitchers Miami has not announced a starter beyond Pérez’s expected appearance. St. Louis’s rotation plans for the series opener have not yet been confirmed.