First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT)
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
This interleague series opener pits the struggling Boston Red Sox against a hotter St. Louis Cardinals squad at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals’ home park since 2006. The Red Sox are on the road for this three-game set after a disappointing start to 2026, while the Cardinals open a homestand looking to build on their early-season momentum.
Weather Updates
Game-time conditions in St. Louis call for temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s°F (around 72-73°F) with mostly cloudy skies and south winds around 8 mph. There is a 40-60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the evening hours, which could lead to delays but is not currently expected to force a postponement. Humidity will be moderate (around 50-60%). Fans should monitor updates closer to first pitch, as April weather in the Midwest can shift quickly.
Injury Report Boston Red Sox:
1B Triston Casas (10-day IL, knee – patellar tendon repair; expected return ~May)
INF/C Anthony Seigler (10-day IL, knee)
RP Justin Slaten (15-day IL, oblique)
SP Patrick Sandoval (15-day IL, elbow)
SP Kutter Crawford (15-day IL, elbow; expected return ~May)
St. Louis Cardinals:
SP Hunter Dobbins (15-day IL, knee)
RP Matt Pushard (15-day IL, knee)
OF Lars Nootbaar (60-day IL, heel)
Neither team has major lineup-altering injuries impacting tonight’s starters or key position players, though both clubs are missing rotation depth and some power bats.
Player Matchups & Probable Pitchers
BOS: LHP Connelly Early (0-0, 2.89 ERA)
The 2026 breakout prospect (9.1 IP, 10 K, 6 BB) makes his first career start against the Cardinals. Early has been sharp early in the season with strong strikeout stuff against right-handed hitters.
STL: RHP Dustin May (0-2, 15.95 ERA)
May has struggled mightily in limited 2026 action (7.1 IP, 17 H, 13 ER). Career numbers vs. current Red Sox batters are mixed but include solid marks against Trevor Story (.267) and Jarren Duran (.333).
Key Offensive Matchups:
BOS bats vs. May: William Contreras (newly acquired from STL) faces his former club for the first time; Wilyer Abreu, Rob Refsnyder, and Jarren Duran provide speed and power. The Red Sox hit .226/.310/.356 as a team but own a .697 OPS vs. lefties.
STL bats vs. Early: Alec Burleson (.290 BA, .801 OPS), Juan Herrera, and Nolan Gorman lead a Cardinals lineup that ranks higher in run scoring (4.92 RS/G) and hits lefties hard (.797 OPS vs. LHP). Masyn Winn and others could exploit any command issues from the young lefty.
Recent Team Forms
Red Sox (3-7 last 10): Boston has shown flashes (wins over Milwaukee) but has been inconsistent, dropping series to San Diego, Houston, and Cincinnati. Their offense has been quiet (3.67 RS/G), and the bullpen has been taxed on the road.
Cardinals (5-5 last 10): St. Louis has been streaky but competitive, winning high-scoring games and extra-inning thrillers while going 4-2 at Busch. They have performed well against righties (7-3) but have been vulnerable vs. lefties (0-2).
Series History
All-time record is tied at 14-14. Boston swept St. Louis 3-0 in 2025, while the Cardinals took 2 of 3 in 2024. Recent interleague meetings have featured high-scoring affairs (e.g., 18-7, 13-9). Tonight marks the first 2026 meeting.
Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Boston’s last 19 games. Cardinals are 3-2 in their last 5 overall and vs. the spread.
Other notes: BOS is just 4-6 as favorites this season; STL has won 6 of 10 as underdogs.
Game Odds
Boston Red Sox – 149
St. Louis Cardinals 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026
