The Cardinals have struggled against the Brewers this year. St. Louis is 3-7 against the Brewers, but the Redbirds won two of three games at Busch two weeks ago.

Right-hander Andre Pallante (6-6, 3.80) will be on the mound for the Cardinals on Monday. In his last four games, Pallante has a 2.13 ERA.

Since being added to the rotation on May 29, Pallante has the best ERA among Cardinals starters at 3.50, more than a run better than any other St. Louis starting pitcher during that span.

The Brewers will counter with right-hander Freddy Peralta (9-7, 3.70), who has allowed a total of one earned run in his last three starts.

Peralta allowed just three hits and no runs in five innings in the Busch game against the Cardinals last month, resulting in a no-decision game.

His career ERA of 4.90 in 18 games (14 starts) against St. Louis is his worst against any team he started against more than five times.

Outfielder Michael Siani joined the team on Monday and will bat ninth and play center field after missing nearly a month with an oblique strain.

Manager Oliver Marmol said he would like to see Siani “at center most of the time” in the final month of the season.

The Cardinals are third in the NL Central at 69-68, 11 games behind the first-place Brewers. St. Louis has won eight of 12 games and started the day above .500 for the first time since Aug. 12.

The Cardinals are five games behind Atlanta in the battle for the last wild card spot. The race for the last playoff spot has tightened, with the Mets only one game behind and the Cubs three. The Giants are just behind St. Louis, 6 1/2 games behind.

The Brewers are in first place in the NL Central at 80-57. A loss to the Reds on Sunday ended the Brewers’ five-game winning streak. Milwaukee’s run differential of over 133 is the best in baseball.

Willson Contreras (broken finger): The catcher broke the middle finger of his right hand on August 24 when he was hit by a pitch. He will be out of action for three weeks before he can begin developing. There is not much room for a possible return. The injury could mean the end of his season. Updated on August 27

Lance Lynn (knee strain): The right-hander participated in a live BP session at Busch Stadium on Monday and reported no ill effects when speaking to reporters after the session. He will complete a minor league rehab program and is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Memphis on Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, against the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate team. He is expected to throw up to 85 pitches in that game. Updated on August 26