What happened: The St. Louis Cardinals are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium in an interleague-free National League matchup. St. Louis enters at 41-34 on the season, while Arizona sits at 39-38. The Cardinals are riding momentum at home, where they have leaned on steady run prevention.

Why it matters: Every game matters in a tight NL playoff picture, and St. Louis is fighting to hold position while Arizona looks to climb back above .500. A strong showing at Busch would help the Cardinals separate from a crowded pack of contenders. For the Diamondbacks, stopping their recent slide on the road is key to staying in the chase.

What to watch: Watch the early innings for which club sets the tone on the mound, and whether Arizona can snap its losing streak before the deficit in the standings widens.