SUNDAY’S GAME PREVIEW

ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals meet Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium III in a pivotal National League matchup, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and a temperature near 60 degrees.

The Dodgers (20-12) enter the game riding a two-game losing streak after dropping consecutive contests to the Cardinals on Friday and Saturday. St. Louis (19-13) has won five of its last six games, including a 7-2 victory Friday and a 3-0 shutout Saturday against Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is expected to start left-hander Justin Wrobleski (4-0, 2.70 ERA) or right-hander Dustin May (3-2, 3.86 ERA). The Cardinals have not announced a probable starter.

Players to Watch

Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan has struggled recently. In his last start Friday at St. Louis, he allowed four earned runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss. Over his previous three starts he posted a 2.08 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has been productive at the plate. He went 4 for 4 with two RBIs in Friday’s win over the Dodgers and has driven in 10 runs over his last six games, including a home run at Pittsburgh on April 30.

Betting Line

The Dodgers are installed as a 1.5-run favorite, with an over/under of 9. A game simulator projects a 6-3 Cardinals victory.

Upcoming Schedules

Following Sunday’s game, the Dodgers travel to Houston for a three-game series against the Astros beginning Monday. St. Louis returns home to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for a three-game set before heading to San Diego on Thursday.