Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
First pitch: 7:45 p.m. ET
TV: Cardinals.TV, MASN
This is Game 2 of a three-game interleague series. The Orioles crushed the Cardinals 13-1 in the opener on Tuesday night behind Pete Alonso’s four-hit, four-RBI performance (including a three-run homer), with Chris Bassitt pitching effectively. Baltimore is chasing an AL wild-card spot despite sitting under .500; St. Louis is in the NL Central mix but has dropped four straight and sits a game under .500.
Starting Pitchers
Orioles: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-12, 3.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 138.2 IP, 129 K, 60 BB, 15 HR)
The 29-year-old has been a solid rotation piece with a ground-ball tendency. Recent form is mixed (last start: 5.2 IP, 3 ER vs. Yankees). He averages around 8.4 K/9 and has shown the ability to limit damage on the road at times. Home-run rate is manageable.
Cardinals: RHP Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 137.1 IP, 95 K, 36 BB, 18 HR)
The 26-year-old right-hander has been one of St. Louis’s more consistent starters, featuring good control and a lower WHIP. Recent outings include quality efforts (e.g., 6 IP, 0 ER vs. Cubs). Strikeout rate is more modest (~6.2 K/9), but he induces weak contact.
Edge: Slight lean to McGreevy on efficiency and control, though Bradish’s stuff and experience give Baltimore a competitive arm. Both are capable of working deep into games.
Venue & Weather Forecast
Busch Stadium (capacity ~45,000, natural grass). Night game.
St. Louis forecast for Aug. 26: Mostly sunny with highs near 90–92°F, dropping to the mid-70s by evening. Slight chance (20%) of afternoon showers/thunderstorms; evening chance around 40% but low disruption expected at first pitch. Southwest winds 5–10 mph, becoming lighter. Humidity moderate to elevated. Conditions should be favorable for hitters with potential carry, minimal weather interference likely.
Current Rosters & Key Players
Orioles (power-oriented lineup):
Key hitters include Pete Alonso (1B/DH, strong power/RBI production, ~31 HR), Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson (SS), Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Coby Mayo, Leody Taveras, Dylan Beavers, and others in the outfield/infield mix. Catchers and utility options fill the rest. Rotation depth features Bradish alongside Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers, Chris Bassitt, etc. Bullpen has been impacted by injuries.
Cardinals:
Key contributors: Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker (power), Ivan Herrera, Nathan Church, Joshua Baez, Ramon Urias/others in the infield, and outfield depth. Masyn Winn (SS) is sidelined. Rotation includes McGreevy, with support from others; bullpen features arms like Ryne Stanek. The lineup relies on contact and occasional power.
Injury Reports
Orioles: Tyler O’Neill (RF, day-to-day/shoulder, probable or questionable after recent soreness/MRI); Blaze Alexander (INF, 10-day IL, hand, rehabbing, ~Aug 28); Ryan Mountcastle (1B, 60-day IL, oblique/foot issues, ~Sep 21); Felix Bautista (RP, 60-day IL, shoulder, rehabbing); Ryan Helsley (RP, 60-day IL, elbow, ~Sep 18); Zach Eflin (SP, 60-day IL, elbow, out longer-term); Jordan Westburg (INF, 60-day IL, UCL); Keegan Akin and Colin Selby (RPs, longer-term IL). Core position players mostly available.
Cardinals: Masyn Winn (SS, 10-day IL, thumb fracture, ~Sep 1); Everson Pereira (OF, 10-day IL, hand, ~Sep 1); Andre Pallante (SP, 15-day IL, elbow, ~Sep 2); Hunter Dobbins (SP, 15-day IL, forearm, ~Sep 6); Max Rajcic (RP, 60-day IL, elbow). Position-player depth is tested at shortstop.
Both teams are navigating significant pitching and position-player absences.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Bradish vs. Cardinals hitters (Walker, Burleson, Herrera): Bradish’s sinker/slider mix works against contact-oriented bats; limiting extra-base hits from Walker’s power will be key.
McGreevy vs. Orioles power (Alonso, Henderson, Encarnacion-Strand, Holliday): McGreevy’s control and ground-ball profile must neutralize Alonso’s recent hot streak and the lefty/righty power threats. Alonso’s ability to drive the ball is a major factor.
Secondary: Speed elements (Holliday, Taveras) vs. Cardinals defense (Winn absence hurts); bullpen matchups likely decide late if starters go deep.
Recent Team Forms
Orioles: 5-5 in last 10, coming off a dominant 13-1 win. Competitive in the wild-card picture with solid power numbers. Road record ~30-34.
Cardinals: 4-6 in last 10 (L4 streak after the blowout loss). Home record ~32-35. Offense has been inconsistent; pitching ERA around 4.14–4.21 overall.
Baltimore carries momentum from the series opener; St. Louis needs a response at home.
Series History
2026 season series: Orioles lead 1-0 after the 13-1 win in Game 1 (first meetings of the year). Recent prior years have been competitive or Cardinals-leaning in spots (e.g., STL took series in some prior campaigns). All-time regular-season edge historically favors St. Louis in limited samples. This series is early interleague action with wild-card implications for both.
Betting Trends
Totals have seen action around 8 after the high-scoring opener. Orioles have shown road underdog value at times; Cardinals home form has been mixed. Public may lean Orioles after the blowout, creating potential value on the home side or under.
Game Odds
Baltimore Orioles – 110
St. Louis Cardinals 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 25, 2026
