The St. Louis Cardinals (24-20) and Kansas City Royals (25-20) are set to face off in the series opener at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals enter the matchup as home favorites while the Cardinals look to continue their strong offensive production after a 9-1 victory over the Phillies in their last game.
Starting Pitchers
St. Louis Cardinals – Andre Pallante (RHP, 3-2, 4.36 ERA)
- Pallante has been solid in his last five starts, averaging 5.8 innings per outing.
- He has three quality starts this season and has held opponents to a .262 batting average.
- In his most recent start, he pitched 7 1/3 innings, his longest outing since July 31, 2022.
Kansas City Royals – Cole Ragans (LHP, 2-2, 4.20 ERA)
- Ragans has been inconsistent, but he has the ability to limit damage when in rhythm.
- He faces a Cardinals lineup that ranks 2nd in MLB in total hits (394) and 7th in runs scored (212).
- In his last outing against the Red Sox, he pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs.
Key Players to Watch
St. Louis Cardinals
- Lars Nootbaar (LF) – Leads the Cardinals with seven home runs and 24 RBIs, hitting .293 over his last 10 games.
- Brendan Donovan (2B) – Batting .313, providing consistency at the top of the lineup.
- Nolan Arenado (3B) – Has four home runs and 10 doubles, making him a power threat in the middle of the order.
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr. (SS) – Leads the Royals with five home runs and 25 RBIs, hitting .312 this season.
- Maikel Garcia (3B) – Batting .295 with 11 doubles and five home runs, providing versatility.
- Kyle Isbel (OF) – Has two home runs and a triple in his last 10 games, showing improved offensive production.
Game Strategy & Predictions
- Cardinals’ Game Plan:
- Take advantage of Ragans’ inconsistency, working deep counts to force early bullpen usage.
- Utilize Nootbaar and Donovan’s ability to get on base to create scoring opportunities.
- Pallante must limit hard contact, as Kansas City ranks 8th in the AL in batting average (.242).
- Royals’ Game Plan:
- Witt Jr. and Garcia need to set the tone early against Pallante.
- Ragans must avoid walks, as St. Louis has been effective at capitalizing on free passes.
- Kansas City’s bullpen must be ready, as Ragans has struggled to go deep into games.
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Kansas City Royals – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 15, 2025
