St. Louis Cardinals vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Cardinals Look to Extend Hot Streak Against Royals in Second Game of Interleague Series

The St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals are set to face off in the second game of a three-game interleague series on Saturday night. The Cardinals are currently on a hot streak, winning 10 of their last 11 games and climbing the standings in the National League Central. On the other hand, the Royals have cooled off after a strong start and are looking to snap out of a recent slump. Miles Mikolas will be starting for the Cardinals, while Seth Lugo will be taking the mound for the Royals. Kansas City is the betting favorite in this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +106 | Royals -121
• Spread: Cardinals +1.5 (-193) | Royals -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over/Under 8.75 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Kansas City will win straight-up is 55%.

St. Louis vs Kansas City Stats

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a hot streak, winning 10 of their last 11 games and moving into second place in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs. The team's offense has been impressive, averaging 4.82 runs per game and boasting a team batting average of .262, with Brendan Donovan leading the team in average and RBI. Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras lead the team in home runs and RBI respectively. Miles Mikolas will be the starting pitcher for the upcoming game, with a 2-2 record and 4.35 ERA. The Cardinals are ranked 11th in offense and defense, with an overall record of 24-20 and a power ranking of 8.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals have excelled in pitching this season, boasting one of the best team ERAs in the American League and leading the majors in quality starts. However, their offense has struggled, ranking among the weakest in baseball in runs scored, OPS, and home runs. Despite a decent team batting average, their performance at home specifically has been lacking. Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino have been standouts in their lineup. Unfortunately, Seth Lugo will miss an upcoming start due to a finger injury. The team's overall record is 25-20, with a power ranking of 6 and a ranking of 26th in offensive production. In their recent games against St. Louis, the Royals went 2-1.

St. Louis Cardinals' Potent Offense Poses Challenge for Struggling Kansas City Royals

The St. Louis Cardinals have established themselves as a formidable force in MLB, boasting a potent offense. In contrast, the Kansas City Royals have struggled with a lackluster offense, making it imperative for their pitching staff to excel for success. With Seth Lugo sidelined for Saturday's game, there are concerns surrounding the Royals' ability to contain the Cardinals' strong hitters. Meanwhile, St. Louis has displayed consistency in recent games, with Miles Mikolas leading the team to victory in his last three starts, showcasing an impressive 2.30 ERA during this time. Therefore, I am inclined to support the Cardinals in this matchup based on their reliable performance record.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]