St. Louis @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 4, 2012 ) St. Louis 4, Miami 1

Riding their first three-game win streak in a month, the Cardinals head to Miami for a three-game series starting Monday. St. Louis scored 30 runs while sweeping the Royals in Kansas City over the weekend. The sweep moved the Cards just two games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central.

The Marlins beat Toronto 9-0 Sunday to snap a six-game skid and post their second shutout this season. They’ve gone 3-15 over their last 18 games and find themselves eight games behind Washington in the NL East.

These teams played in the season opener, a 4-1 St. Louis win in Miami.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS-F, FS-M

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (6-6, 3.83 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (6-6, 5.16 ERA)

Westbrook just threw his first complete game in more than two years, a 3-1 win at Detroit in which he allowed five hits and an unearned run. Westbrook has produced three straight quality starts. He’s 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins. Omar Infante is 6-for-18 lifetime against Westbrook.

Nolasco is coming off his worst outing, giving up nine earned runs in 3 1/3 innings to the Red Sox. He’s dropped three straight decisions. Batters are hitting .283 against Nolasco, who is 0-4 with a 6.19 ERA in seven career appearances against St. Louis. Matt Holliday is 9-for-18 with two homers and six RBIs against Nolasco.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Marlins 3B Hanley Ramirez went 4-for-12 in the weekend series against Toronto, including a two-run triple Sunday.

2. Holliday went 8-for-12 with three walks and four RBIs in the weekend series in Kansas City.

3. Cards OF Carlos Beltran hit his 20th homer Sunday, tying him for the NL lead with Ryan Braun.