Game Preview 6/5/25: Cardinals vs Royals

Cardinals look to win the series and sweep the two games in the doubleheader today

The Cardinals tied up the series earlier today with a comeback win when down 3-0 into the 6th inning. Today, I’m thinking they are hoping for a bit easier of a win, though they are obviously hoping for a win no matter how easy the win it is. If they manage to win, they will win the series with the Dodgers coming into town for the weekend.

The Cardinals will face Cole Ragans for the second time this year. Don’t be misled by his 4.53 ERA. He’s been very good this year. He has 72 strikeouts in just 45.2 IP pitched. In other words, if he continues at his pace, he won’t have a 4.53 ERA. The last time he pitched, he actually faced the Cardinals. He went 5 innings and allowed 4 earned runs in a loss. After that game, he went on the injured list. This is his first game back from the injured list. Facing him will be Matthew Liberatore, coming off a bit of a rough start against the Rangers.

How to watch: FanDuel Sports Midwest

How to listen: 1120 AM KMOX/104.1 FM

First pitch: 6:45 PM

Todays matchup:

Matthew Liberatore (3.08 ERA/2.65 FIP/3.36 xFIP)

vs.

Cole Ragans (4.53 ERA/1.98 FIP/2.19 xFIP)

Players to Watch

STL: Ryan Vilade: Perhaps the wrong time to make him as the choice: Ragans is a very tough ask to have a good game. But in the first game of the series, he went 0 for 4. He hit the ball 109.8 mph, 103.5 mph, and 99.1 mph in three of his four outs earlier today. He hit it 100.5 mph in his one out before today. Basically he’s hit the ball hard in four of his five batted balls, and not gotten any reward for it. Hopefully that changes tody.

KC: Jonathan India: I don’t know what it is about the Cardinals, but India steps to the plate whenever he faces them. He has a 1.013 OPS at Busch Stadium and that was before his 2 for 5 day earlier today with a HR. He just crushes the ball at Busch Stadium. And the sample size is still not great, but because he was a Red for years, it has come in 136 plate appearances, so we’re almost dealing with a Bud Norris situation at this point.