Venue: Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, Missouri
First Pitch: 8:10 PM ET (7:10 PM CT)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports Kansas City, MLB.TV
Weather Forecast
- Temperature: 82–85°F at first pitch
- Wind: 9–13 mph blowing out to left-center
- Humidity: 55–60%
- Rain: <10% chance
- Impact: Slight boost to RH power hitters; warm air helps carry fly balls into the gaps.
Injury Report
St. Louis Cardinals
- Nolan Arenado — OUT (back inflammation)
- Tommy Edman — OUT (wrist surgery)
- Lars Nootbaar — Probable (hamstring tightness)
- Ryan Helsley — OUT (forearm strain)
- Brendan Donovan — Questionable (illness)
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr. — Probable (ankle soreness)
- Vinnie Pasquantino — OUT (shoulder surgery)
- MJ Melendez — OUT (oblique strain)
- Cole Ragans — OUT (elbow fatigue)
- Kyle Isbel — Probable (hand contusion)
Team Records & Recent Form
St. Louis Cardinals (40–33)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Road Record: 19–17
- Run Differential: +14
- Trend: Pitching staff stabilizing; offense inconsistent without Arenado.
- Key Note: Cardinals are 8–3 in their last 11 games vs teams under .500.
Kansas City Royals (31–45)
- Last 10: 3–7
- Home Record: 17–22
- Run Differential: -48
- Trend: Offense struggling; pitching depth thin without Ragans.
- Key Note: Royals are 2–9 in their last 11 games vs NL opponents.
Pitching Matchup
St. Louis — Michael McGreevy (RHP)
2026 Stats:
- Record: 5–4
- ERA: 3.68
- WHIP: 1.24
- K/BB: 61/18
- Road ERA: 3.41
Scouting Notes:
- Command-first righty with a strong sinker/slider mix.
- Royals rank 28th in MLB vs sliders, a major advantage for McGreevy.
- Generates ground balls at a high rate — ideal for Kauffman’s spacious outfield.
- Has allowed 2 ER or fewer in 5 of his last 7 starts.
Kansas City — Seth Lugo (RHP)
2026 Stats:
- Record: 4–7
- ERA: 4.12
- WHIP: 1.29
- K/BB: 72/21
- Home ERA: 3.88
Scouting Notes:
- Veteran righty with elite curveball spin.
- Cardinals rank 20th vs curveballs, but missing Arenado weakens their RH power.
- Lugo has been inconsistent; strong at home but vulnerable to lineups with patient hitters.
- Has allowed 3+ ER in 4 of his last 6 starts.
Key Player Matchups
Paul Goldschmidt (STL) vs Lugo
- Goldschmidt hitting .295 vs RHP in 2026.
- Historically strong vs curveball-heavy pitchers.
Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) vs McGreevy
- Witt hitting .310 at home, but struggles vs sliders (.228).
- McGreevy’s pitch mix directly attacks his weak zones.
Masyn Winn (STL) vs RHP
- Winn hitting .285 in June, emerging as a consistent table-setter.
Salvador Pérez (KC) vs McGreevy
- Pérez still dangerous vs sinkers; hitting .270 with 11 HR vs RHP this season.
Series History
- Last 10 meetings: Cardinals lead 7–3
- At Kauffman Stadium: Cardinals lead 6–4 since 2019
- Recent Trend: 5 of last 7 matchups have gone UNDER the total.
Betting Trends
St. Louis Cardinals
- 8–3 in last 11 vs losing teams
- Under is 6–2 in their last 8 road games
- Cardinals 5–1 in McGreevy’s last 6 starts
Kansas City Royals
- 2–9 in last 11 vs NL teams
- Under is 7–3 in their last 10 home games
- Royals 1–6 in Lugo’s last 7 starts
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals – 120
Kansas City Royals 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 18, 2026
