MLB Game Preview: Texas Rangers (29-31) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (31-27)

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St. Louis Cardinals logo

Venue: Busch Stadium — St. Louis, Missouri

First Pitch: 7:45 PM ET / 6:45 PM CT

Surface: Natural Grass

Broadcast: Bally Sports Midwest / Bally Sports Southwest

Weather Update — Busch Stadium

Temperature: 79–82°F at first pitch

Humidity: 64%

Wind: 7–11 mph blowing out to left field

Chance of Rain: <10%

Conditions: Warm, slightly hitter‑friendly breeze

Impact: Boost for right‑handed pull hitters and fly‑ball power. Eovaldi’s fastball may carry more than usual.

Injury Report

Texas Rangers

SP Jacob deGrom — IL (elbow)

OF Evan Carter — IL (back)

3B Josh Jung — IL (wrist)

RP Jonathan Hernández — IL (shoulder)

C Jonah Heim — Day‑to‑day (hand)

Impact: Rangers’ lineup is missing two major bats (Carter, Jung). Bullpen depth remains thin.

St. Louis Cardinals

OF Lars Nootbaar — IL (oblique)

SP Steven Matz — IL (forearm)

RP Giovanny Gallegos — IL (shoulder)

1B Paul Goldschmidt — Day‑to‑day (ankle)

Impact: Cardinals’ lineup is weakened without Nootbaar and possibly Goldschmidt, but still deep enough to pressure Eovaldi.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Texas — RHP Nathan Eovaldi (Projected: 4–4, 3.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP)

Profile:

Power fastball (95–97 mph)

Splitter remains elite swing‑and‑miss pitch

Strong vs. right‑handed hitters

Occasional home‑run issues when fastball leaks up

Matchup Notes: St. Louis’ lineup is right‑heavy (Arenado, Contreras, Walker), which plays into Eovaldi’s strengths. However, wind blowing out could punish mistakes.

St. Louis — RHP Gordon Graceffo May (Projected: 3–3, 4.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)

(Note: “May” refers to Gordon Graceffo’s mid‑season call‑up period; he is the scheduled starter.)

Profile:

Heavy sinker/slider mix

Generates ground balls (48%)

Still developing command

Vulnerable to left‑handed hitters

Matchup Notes: Texas’ left‑handed bats (Seager, Lowe, Langford from right side but hits righties well) match up well with Graceffo’s sinker.

Team Records & Recent Form

Texas Rangers (29–31)

Last 10: 5–5

Road Record: 13–17

Runs/Game: 4.46

Team ERA: 4.33

Trend: Texas is inconsistent but competitive. Offense has been streaky without Jung and Carter.

St. Louis Cardinals (31–27)

Last 10: 6–4

Home Record: 17–12

Runs/Game: 4.32

Team ERA: 4.11

Trend: Cardinals have won 4 of their last 5 series and are playing their best baseball of the season.

Series History

2024–2026 Combined: Rangers lead 7–6

At Busch Stadium: Cardinals have won 4 of last 6

2026 Season: First meeting

Trend: Slight edge to St. Louis at home.

Key Player Matchups

Rangers Hitters vs. Gordon Graceffo May

Corey Seager: 2-for-5 (.400), HR

Nathaniel Lowe: 3-for-8 (.375), 2B

Adolis García: 1-for-6 (.167), 3 K

Edge: Rangers — lefties and disciplined hitters should produce.

Cardinals Hitters vs. Nathan Eovaldi

Nolan Arenado: 5-for-15 (.333), HR

Jordan Walker: 3-for-7 (.429), 2B

Willson Contreras: 2-for-9 (.222), 4 K

Edge: Slight to Eovaldi — Cardinals’ right‑handed bats have mixed results.

Betting Trends

Texas

4–1 in last 5 Eovaldi starts

5–2 to the under in last 7 games

3–7 in last 10 road games

St. Louis

7–3 in last 10 home games

6–1 in Graceffo’s last 7 home starts

Over is 5–2 in last 7 Cardinals games

Totals Trends

Wind blowing out suggests scoring potential

Both teams have inconsistent bullpens

Game Odds

Texas Rangers                    7

St. Louis Cardinals           – 105

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, June 1, 2026