The Kansas City Royals (31-29) and the St. Louis Cardinals (33-26) are set to begin a three-game interleague series at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET. This matchup is particularly intriguing as the Cardinals currently lead the season series 2-1.
The Royals come into this series following a challenging weekend, where they faced the Detroit Tigers and ended up in two tightly contested 1-0 games. They secured a victory on Saturday with a strong performance from right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha, while left-handed starter Kris Bubic suffered a tough loss on Sunday despite throwing seven solid innings. In that Sunday game, catcher Salvador Perez shined with three hits, and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. contributed the only extra-base hit for the Royals.
On the other hand, the Cardinals faced difficulties over the weekend, getting swept in an interleague series against the Texas Rangers, despite winning one game. Their pitching staff seemed stretched, highlighted by an 11-1 loss on Friday and an 8-1 loss on Sunday. First baseman Willson Contreras managed to drive in the only run on Sunday with an RBI single.
The betting trends show that the Cardinals have seen success in their recent games, with the Over hitting at a 4-1 rate in the last five matchups. Meanwhile, they’ve proven stable with a record of 6-3 over their past nine contests since May 23. For the Royals, however, they have struggled, losing six of their last nine games since that same date and dropping three consecutive series.
In their earlier meetings this season, the Royals and Cardinals faced off from May 16-18, where the Cardinals claimed victories in the first two games before the Royals salvaged the final game. As the two teams prepare for their next encounter, they both bring their unique strengths and challenges.
Projected starters for the matchup include RHP Michael Lorenzen for the Royals, who enters with a 3-6 record and a 4.33 ERA. Lorenzen has a history against the Cardinals, boasting a solid 2.51 ERA in previous matchups. Meanwhile, RHP Andre Pallante will take the mound for the Cardinals, holding a 4-3 record with a 4.23 ERA and looking to continue his successful pitching at home.
Betting odds are currently favoring the Cardinals at -146, with the Royals at +124 on the moneyline. For those considering the total runs, the Over/Under is set at 8.5.
As both teams look to claim an early advantage in this series, the matchup promises to be entertaining, showcasing competitive baseball and the resilience of the players involved. With both squads eager to return to form, fans can look forward to an exciting game at Busch Stadium.
This series could be a turning point for either team, with the Cardinals needing to bounce back from a tough series while the Royals seek to snap a losing streak. The interleague rivalry adds yet another layer of intrigue, as each team aims for supremacy in what promises to be an engaging showdown.