AP Sports Preview ATLANTA (Interstat) — The St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Truist Park, opening a four-game series between National League contenders. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. EDT. The forecast calls for rain and 88 degrees. St. Louis (43-38) enters after a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Kyle Leahy earned the win, allowing one earned run on two hits over five innings with five strikeouts. Left fielder Bryan Torres hit a two-run homer. Atlanta (49-33) arrives following a 3-2 loss at San Francisco on Sunday. Chris Sale took the loss despite allowing one earned run on eight hits over six innings with 10 strikeouts. Players to Watch Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy will start. The 28-year-old is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA over his past four starts, totaling 22 1/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and eight earned runs. He threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision against Arizona on June 23. Braves left-hander Chris Sale opposes him. The 37-year-old veteran has allowed one earned run in each of his past two starts, covering 11 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. He struck out 10 in a loss at San Francisco on June 28. Game Notes Atlanta is a -1.5 favorite on the run line, according to Interstat’s game simulator. The over/under is 9 runs. The simulator projects a 4-3 Braves victory. The Braves lead the season series 2-1, having taken two of three in St. Louis in May. Next Up The series continues Wednesday and Thursday before both clubs travel for road series. St. Louis visits the Chicago Cubs for three games beginning Friday. Atlanta hosts the New York Mets for four games starting Friday, then travels to Pittsburgh. Weather Watch With rain in the forecast, grounds crews at Truist Park were preparing the field for potential delays or a postponement. Both bullpens are well-rested, with no relievers throwing more than 20 pitches in Sunday’s games.