First pitch: 7:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
This is Game 2 of a three-game series. The Cardinals took the opener 2-1 on Monday behind strong pitching from Quinn Mathews (who took a no-hitter into the sixth) and timely hitting from Alec Burleson (MLB-leading RBI total) and Leonardo Bernal. The Giants, mired in a four-game losing streak and a poor road campaign, look to rebound while the Cardinals aim to climb closer to .500.
Starting Pitchers
Blade Tidwell (RHP, Giants) — 0-2, 4.82 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 38 SO in 46.2 IP. Limited major-league experience this season with mixed results; control has been an issue at times (elevated walk rate). Facing a Cardinals lineup that manufactured just enough runs Monday.
Andre Pallante (RHP, Cardinals) — 12-6, 3.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 102 SO in 146.0 IP. Reliable workhorse with strong recent form (1.99 ERA over his last seven starts before a brief IL stint for elbow soreness). He has prior success against the Giants and offers better command and innings-eating ability.
Current Weather Forecast
Hot and humid conditions expected. Highs in the upper 90s to near 100°F earlier in the day, cooling slightly by evening first pitch (around 80s with heat index still elevated). Partly cloudy with a chance of showers/thunderstorms (especially earlier or into the night; ~20-60% chance depending on timing). Light winds (NE/SW around 5 mph). Heat Advisory in effect for the area; monitor for any storm delays at Busch Stadium.
Injury Reports
Giants:
Rafael Devers (1B/DH, abdomen) — 60-day IL (season-ending surgery expected).
Willy Adames (SS, elbow/back) — 10-day IL.
Victor Bericoto (OF, knee) — 10-day IL.
Marcelo Mayer (2B, forearm) — 10-day IL.
JT Brubaker (RP, ribs) — 15-day IL.
Longer-term: Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt, multiple pitchers (elbow/forearm). Significant absences thin the lineup and pitching depth.
Cardinals:
JJ Wetherholt (IF, wrist) — 10-day IL.
Blaze Jordan (3B, ankle) — 10-day IL.
Everson Pereira (OF, hand) — 10-day IL.
Peter Strzelecki (RP, forearm) — 15-day IL.
Jose Fermin (OF/IF) — day-to-day.
Longer-term: Max Rajcic, Hunter Dobbins (elbow). Depth is tested but core contributors remain available.
Recent Team Forms
Giants (1-4 last 5): Four-game skid includes the Monday 2-1 loss. Poor overall season (especially 26-50 on the road). Offense has been inconsistent without key injured players; Jung Hoo Lee and others provide contact, but power has been limited.
Cardinals (3-2 last 5): Solid recent stretch capped by Monday’s low-scoring win. Near .500 overall (37-39 at home). Alec Burleson continues to drive in runs at an elite rate; Ivan Herrera and Leonardo Bernal have been productive. Strong when scoring 5+ runs (51-18).
Series History
Giants lead the season series 3-1 entering Tuesday (Cardinals won Monday). Earlier meetings included competitive games; the clubs have a long postseason history (including the 2014 NLCS), but current rosters make this a late-season battle between non-contenders.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Trends
Tidwell vs. Cardinals hitters: St. Louis features contact and RBI producers (Burleson, Herrera, Bernal, Jordan Walker). Tidwell’s higher ERA and limited sample suggest vulnerability to timely hitting.
Pallante vs. Giants hitters: San Francisco’s depleted lineup (missing Devers, Adames, etc.) relies on Jung Hoo Lee, Grant McCray, Jonah Cox, and younger contributors. Pallante’s better command and recent form give him the edge against a struggling road offense.
Standouts: Alec Burleson (RBI machine), Ivan Herrera, Leonardo Bernal for Cardinals; Jung Hoo Lee and remaining position players for Giants. Team ERAs are similar (Giants 4.37, Cardinals 4.27), but Cardinals hold home and form advantages.
Betting Trends
Monday stayed under in a pitchers’ duel. Cardinals have been solid at home in low-to-moderate scoring games; Giants’ road woes and injury list support favorites.
GAME ODDS
San Francisco Giants 8.5
St. Louis Cardinals – 163
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, September 14, 2026
