Venue, Date & First Pitch
Stadium: Busch Stadium — St. Louis, Missouri
First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 PM EDT
Weather Outlook (Inference)
No weather data was provided in the sources.
Based on typical mid‑April evenings in St. Louis, expect low‑60s temperatures, light breeze, and neutral hitting conditions. (Inference — not sourced)
Injury Report
Cleveland Guardians
Gabriel Arias — 10‑Day IL (hamstring)
George Valera — 10‑Day IL (calf)
Andrew Walters — 15‑Day IL (lat)
Hunter Gaddis — 15‑Day IL (forearm)
St. Louis Cardinals
Masyn Winn — day‑to‑day (leg)
Matt Pushard — 15‑Day IL (knee)
Hunter Dobbins — 15‑Day IL (knee)
Lars Nootbaar — 60‑Day IL (heels)
Team Records & Season Profile
Cleveland Guardians (9–7)
Road Record: 5–5
AVG: .220
OBP: .309
SLG: .365
Runs per Game: 3.6
Team ERA: 3.66 (11th MLB)
WHIP: 1.22
Strikeouts: 146
HR Allowed: 19
St. Louis Cardinals (8–7)
Home Record: 5–4
AVG (last 10): .209
ERA (last 10): 5.10
Run Differential (last 10): –14
3–0 when out‑hitting opponents
Recent Team Form
Guardians — Last 10 Games
Record: 6–4
AVG: .243
ERA: 3.78
Run Differential: +1
Cardinals — Last 10 Games
Record: 5–5
AVG: .209
ERA: 5.10
Run Differential: –14
Pitching Matchup
Cleveland — Gavin Williams (RHP)
Record: 1–1
ERA: 2.04
WHIP: 1.07
Strikeouts: 25
Additional analytics:
Williams is given a longer leash than average pitchers, throwing 6.9 more adjusted pitches per game, increasing his likelihood of deeper outings.
St. Louis — Matthew Liberatore (LHP)
Record: 0–0
ERA: 3.38
WHIP: 1.50
Strikeouts: 10
Additional analytics:
Liberatore has increased his changeup usage by 7.7%, a pitch associated with improved effectiveness.
Pitching Edge: Slightly Cleveland — Williams has been sharper and more efficient.
Key Player Matchups
1. Jordan Walker (STL) vs. Guardians Pitching
Leads Cardinals with 9 extra‑base hits, including 7 HR.
Advantage: Cardinals — Walker is their most dangerous bat.
2. Chase DeLauter (CLE) vs. Cardinals Pitching
5 HR, .680 SLG — elite early‑season power.
Advantage: Guardians — DeLauter is their top slugger.
3. Angel Martinez (CLE) vs. Liberatore
12‑for‑35, 2 doubles, HR, 6 RBI in last 10.
Advantage: Guardians — Martinez is red‑hot.
4. Ramon Urias (STL) vs. Williams
6‑for‑26, 2 HR in last 10.
Advantage: Slightly Cardinals — Urias has been productive.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026 season.
Guardians are 7–2 when recording 8+ hits.
Cardinals are 3–0 when out‑hitting opponents.
Betting Trends
Cleveland
7–2 when recording 8+ hits.
Strong pitching: 3.66 ERA, 1.22 WHIP.
Bullpen: 83.3% save rate (5-for-6).
St. Louis
5–4 at home.
3–0 when out‑hitting opponents.
Offense inconsistent (last 10: .209 AVG).
Game Odds
Cleveland Guardians – 120
St. Louis Cardinals 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 12, 2026
