First Pitch: 11:10 AM PT / 1:10 PM CT
Venue: Daikin Park — Houston, TX
Weather: Indoor ballpark (roofed), so weather will not affect gameplay.
Team Records & Statistical Profile
St. Louis Cardinals (12–8)
Record entering game: 12–8 (per ESPN game listing)
Runs Scored: 80
Team AVG: .231
OBP: .326
SLG: .369
HR: 20
Runs/Game: 4.4 (14th MLB)
Pitching:
ERA: 4.94
WHIP: 1.45
HR Allowed: 18
Strikeouts: 111
Walks: 71
FIP: 4.72
Bullpen:
6 saves in 8 chances (75%)
15 holds (7th MLB)
36.4% inherited runners scored
Houston Astros (8–14)
Record entering game: 8–14 (per ESPN game listing)
Recent Offensive Highlight: Yordan Alvarez HR and RBI in previous matchup vs STL
Team Offense (from box score context):
3 hits in previous game
1 HR (Alvarez)
0–6 with RISP
Recent Team Form
Cardinals — Last 5
W, W, W, W, L (4–1 stretch)
Astros — Last 5
L, L, L, W, W (2–3 stretch)
Series History & Context
Cardinals won the most recent matchup 7–2, powered by HRs from Burleson, Winn, and Fermín.
Astros struggled offensively in that game, going 0–6 with runners in scoring position.
Probable Pitching Matchup
STL — Matthew Liberatore (LHP)
Cardinals’ pitching staff overall:
ERA: 4.94
WHIP: 1.45
K/BB ratio: 1.56
HOU — Mike Burrows (RHP)
Astros’ pitching context from box score:
McCullers Jr. allowed 4 ER in 5 IP
Bullpen allowed 3 additional ER
Key Player Matchups
St. Louis Cardinals
Alec Burleson: HR + 2 hits in previous game
Masyn Winn: HR + 2 RBI
Nick Gorman: 2 RBI
J. Wetherholt: Reached base twice
Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez: HR, 2 hits, 1 RBI
Jose Altuve: Reached base twice
Taylor Trammell: Stolen base
Betting Trends
Cardinals bullpen: 75% save rate, strong leverage performance.
Cardinals offense: 20 HR, solid OBP (.326).
Astros offense: Struggling recently (3 hits in last game).
Astros RISP issues: 0–6 in previous matchup.
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Houston Astros – 149
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, April 18, 2026
