Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 PM EDT / 6:45 PM CDT
TV: MLB.TV, Cardinals.TV, CleGuardians.TV, KMOX 1120 AM
This NL/AL Central interleague series Game 2 pits a Guardians team fresh off a 9-3 series-opening win against a Cardinals club on a three-game losing skid. Cleveland holds first place in the AL Central with a + run differential edge; St. Louis sits fourth in the NL Central and is looking to avoid dropping further in the early standings. Both clubs feature strong young starting pitching in a matchup that projects as low-scoring but could be influenced by warm, wind-aided conditions.
Team Records & Recent Form
Guardians (10-7, 1st AL Central): Cleveland is 6-5 on the road and 6-4 in its last 10 overall. They exploded for 9 runs Monday (Angel Martínez and Brayan Rocchio homers) despite a tough recent stretch that included a lopsided loss in Atlanta. Offense ranks middle-of-the-pack (~3.8-4.0 runs/game) but has shown timely power; pitching has been solid (team ERA ~3.4).
Cardinals (8-8, 4th NL Central): St. Louis is 5-5 at home and 4-6 in its last 10. Monday’s loss dropped them to .500 and extended their skid. Offense has been inconsistent (averaging ~4.0-4.8 runs/game) but features power threats; the staff has posted respectable early numbers but the bullpen was exposed in the series opener.
Weather Updates
Warm and hitter-friendly at Busch Stadium: temperatures around 84–88°F with moderate humidity (~45-50%), winds 13–14 mph blowing out to right/center field, and only a ~15% chance of precipitation. Partly cloudy skies with no rain delays expected. The setup favors extra-base hits and potential home runs, supporting a standard 2.5–3 hour pace and leaning toward the Over in totals.
Injury Report
Cleveland Guardians
Gabriel Arias (SS): 10-Day IL (left hamstring strain).
Andrew Walters (RP): 15-Day IL (right lat surgery recovery).
Carlos Hernandez (RP): OUT (until ~May 1).
George Valera (OF): 10-Day IL (left calf).
Hunter Gaddis (RP): 15-Day IL (right forearm).
Cleveland’s infield and bullpen depth are tested, but the lineup remains largely intact.
St. Louis Cardinals
Hunter Dobbins (SP): 15-Day IL (right ACL reconstruction).
Matt Pushard (RP): 15-Day IL (right knee patellar tendinitis).
Lars Nootbaar (OF): 60-Day IL (double heel surgery recovery).
St. Louis is thin in the rotation and outfield but has Michael McGreevy available and healthy.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch / Probable Pitchers
Joey Cantillo (CLE, LHP, 1-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 20 K / 7 BB in 14.2 IP) vs. Michael McGreevy (STL, RHP, 1-1, 2.16 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 10 K / 2 BB in 16.2 IP)
Cantillo has been electric early with strikeout stuff and no home runs allowed; McGreevy provides elite command and ground-ball tendencies but fewer punchouts. Both are on limited early-season innings but project for 5–6 innings each.
Guardians contact/power (José Ramírez, Josh Naylor, recent hot bats like Rocchio/Martínez) vs. McGreevy’s sinker: Cleveland can manufacture runs with small ball and extra-base hits if McGreevy elevates.
Cardinals lineup (Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt types) vs. Cantillo’s slider/fastball mix: St. Louis must generate early pressure against Cantillo’s high-K rate.
Bullpens: Both taxed from Monday; Guardians’ relief edge could be key late if starters exit tied. Defense favors Cleveland slightly.
Series History
Guardians lead the 2026 season series 1-0 after Monday’s 9-3 victory. Historically the interleague matchup has been competitive, but Cleveland has owned recent head-to-head play (especially on the road). All-time the clubs split roughly evenly, but current form and pitching tilt toward the visitors in this set.
Betting Trends
Guardians are strong as road favorites (-120 or better) and 6-4 in last 10.
Cardinals are 4-6 in last 10 and on a 3-game skid.
Both starters have sub-2.50 ERAs early; totals lean Over in warm Busch conditions with wind blowing out.
Game Odds
Cleveland Guardians – 122
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026
