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By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

04/05/09 5:29 PM ET

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals expect nasty weather for their season opener on Monday against the Pirates, but they also expect to get the game in.
According to Weather.com, the forecast calls for a high temperature of 39 degrees on Monday, with winds in the range of 20 miles per hour and a 60 percent chance of snow showers. In the 3 p.m. CT hour (game time is scheduled for 3:15), the forecast calls for a temperature of 39, and a 50 percent chance of snow showers.

Nonetheless, the expectation is that the game will be played.

"I'm hearing it's going to be cold and blustery, but dry enough to play, and I think we'll play," manager Tony La Russa said.

The Cardinals certainly hope that the game will not be postponed. If a postponement is required, the club has been informed that the most likely course of action would be a split doubleheader on Tuesday. That would present a significant complication, since St. Louis does not have a day off in the season's first three weeks. Someone would need to be called up to start Saturday's game against Houston, because the Cardinals would be loath to use either Adam Wainwright or Kyle Lohse on three days' rest.

"It does make sense for us to play that game, given that we have no off-days in the next 21 days or so," said general manager John Mozeliak. "There's a lot of pluses to try to get that in tomorrow."

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.