Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
TV: CHSN / Cardinals TV
Venue & Weather
Busch Stadium (open-air natural grass park; capacity approximately 44,000). Forecast for St. Louis on game day points to warm conditions with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F, partly sunny to mostly sunny skies, light winds (around 4-8 mph from the south/southeast), and low-to-moderate precipitation chances (isolated showers or storms possible earlier in the day but generally favorable for evening baseball). Expect humid, summer-like late-season weather with limited impact on play.
Probable Starting Pitchers
White Sox: LHP Sean Newcomb (2-4, 2.71 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 74 K in 83.0 IP)
The 33-year-old left-hander has primarily worked in relief this season (53 appearances, 4 starts) with strong results, including low walk and home-run rates. He is listed as the probable starter/opener; bulk relief could follow depending on usage. Strong control and ground-ball tendencies make him effective in short or longer stints.
Cardinals: RHP Kyle Leahy (10-4, 3.41 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 124 K in 132.0 IP)
The 29-year-old right-hander has made 27 starts with a solid win-loss record and strikeout ability (around 8.5 K/9). He has shown inconsistency in some recent outings but maintains competitive numbers overall, with better home performance historically in his profile.
Newcomb’s efficiency and lefty matchup advantages contrast with Leahy’s higher innings volume and experience as a full-time starter.
Current Rosters & Key Players
White Sox key contributors:
Miguel Vargas (3B/1B – 30 HR, strong OBP), Chase Meidroth (2B – multi-hit power recently, including two HRs Friday), Colson Montgomery (SS/3B – power source with 30+ HR), Munetaka Murakami (1B), Tristan Peters (CF), Randal Grichuk (OF), Sam Antonacci (OF), Edgar Quero/Jake Rogers (C), Luisangel Acuña (INF). Offense features power and on-base skills but has cooled recently.
Cardinals key contributors:
Alec Burleson (1B – consistent contact and RBI production), Jordan Walker (RF – power/speed), Iván Herrera (DH/C), Joshua Báez (OF – hot recently with multi-hit games), Leo Bernal (C), José Fermín (UTIL), Nathan Church (CF), Thomas Saggese (INF), Masyn Winn (SS – when healthy). Young core provides athleticism and timely hitting.
Injury Reports
White Sox:
Tommy Pham (OF) – 10-day IL (calf).
Joey Bart (C) – 10-day IL (hand).
Huascar Brazoban (RP) – 15-day IL (lat).
Drew Thorpe (SP) – 60-day IL (elbow).
Tanner Murray (INF) – 60-day IL (shoulder).
Additional longer-term: Ky Bush, Prelander Berroa, Jordan Leasure, Brooks Baldwin, Mike Vasil (various elbow/forearm). Tyler Davis (RP) on bereavement.
Cardinals:
JJ Wetherholt (2B) – 10-day IL (wrist).
Blaze Jordan (INF) – 10-day IL (ankle).
Everson Pereira (OF) – 10-day IL (hand).
Peter Strzelecki (RP) – 15-day IL (forearm).
Hunter Dobbins (SP) – 15-day IL.
Longer-term: Max Rajcic and others (elbow). Jordan Walker day-to-day after rolling ankle Friday but expected available.
Recent Team Forms & Series Context
White Sox: 75-72 overall (1st in AL Central by a half-game over Cleveland), 32-41 on the road. On a four-game losing streak (including Friday’s 7-3 loss) and 1-4 in last five / roughly 3-7 in last 10. Power potential remains, but recent offensive output has dipped. Stronger when hitting multiple homers.
Cardinals: 73-75 overall (4th in NL Central), 35-38 at home. Won Friday 7-3 behind rookies Báez and Bernal (three hits and two RBI each); roughly 5-5 or 2-3 in recent stretch with solid batting average in last 10. Playing spoiler while evaluating young talent.
Series: Cardinals lead the current three-game set 1-0 after Friday’s win. This is only the second meeting of the season between the clubs (interleague). White Sox hold a slim AL Central lead and need to stabilize; Cardinals seek to build momentum at home.
Key Player vs. Player / Matchup Notes
Newcomb (LHP) vs. Cardinals: Right-heavy lineup features Burleson (lefty bat), Walker, Báez, and Herrera. Newcomb’s low ERA and control could limit damage early; watch for platoon advantages against lefty hitters.
Leahy (RHP) vs. White Sox: Vargas (power/OBP), Meidroth (hot), Montgomery (HR threat), and Murakami present challenges. Leahy’s strikeout ability helps against a strikeout-prone Chicago group, but recent White Sox power (Meidroth’s two HRs Friday) is a concern.
Bullpens: Both sides rely on depth; White Sox late-inning options have been mixed amid injuries, while Cardinals have used Graceffo and others effectively. Busch Stadium plays relatively neutrally but can reward power.
Betting Trends
White Sox struggle on the road and in recent form; Cardinals have home split and Friday momentum. Newcomb’s efficiency offers a slight pitching edge on paper, but Leahy’s volume and Cardinals’ young bats provide balance. Unders have value in tighter matchups.
Game Odds
Chicago White Sox – 106
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 11, 2026
