Arizona @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) St. Louis 9, Arizona 10

The St. Louis Cardinals haven't lost back-to-back games in more than a month, a streak they'll try to keep intact when they open a four-game set against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The Diamondbacks took two of three from St. Louis to open the season, but the Cardinals have lost only one series since while compiling the best record in the majors. The Diamondbacks took the last two games of their three-game set with the Chicago Cubs over the weekend to preserve their 2 1/2-game lead in the National League West.

St. Louis dropped the finale of its three-game set with San Francisco 4-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time since a three-game skid from April 27-29. Right-handers Trevor Cahill and Lance Lynn will square off in the opener. The Cardinals beat Cahill on April 2, getting to him for three runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-1 victory. One of Lynn's few rough outings came against Arizona on April 3, as the Diamondbacks roughed him up for four runs in four innings.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (3-5, 2.88 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (7-1, 2.91)

Cahill had his start pushed back a day when the Diamondbacks were rained out Wednesday. He is winless in his last two starts but is coming off a solid outing against Texas in which he allowed four runs (three earned) over eight innings. Cahill is 0-1 with a 3.06 ERA in three starts against the Cardinals.

Lynn continues to lay claim to his place among the best young pitchers in the game with eight quality starts in his 11 outings. He has won his last two decisions but is coming off a no-decision in which he held Kansas City to two runs over seven innings. Lynn is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four games (two starts) against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks utility man Willie Bloomquist got the day off Sunday after going 3-for-4 in his season debut Saturday. Bloomquist, who started the season on the DL with an oblique strain, will be available Monday.

2. Cardinals OF Matt Holliday is 3-for-9 against Cahill, and all three hits were home runs. No other St. Louis player has taken Cahill deep.

3. Arizona's Martin Prado is riding an eight-game hitting streak. He is 3-for-8 against Cahill.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 3