The Los Angeles Dodgers try to guarantee at least a series split against the St. Louis Cardinals after they took opener of a four-game series backed by early runs and a brilliant performance from Max Scherzer.
The Dodgers, at 87-51, still trail the San Francisco Giants by one game for the National League West lead. The Cardinals, who hold a 69-67 record, are 3.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot.
Although this game has a lot of meaning for the standings, the story will be on Albert Pujols, who is expected to start at first base against the team whose hat he will wear on his Hall of Fame plaque one day.