MLB Moneyline Picks and Bets: Kansas City Royals vs St. Louis Cardinals

 

Game Summary

The Kansas City Royals are set to face the St. Louis Cardinals on July 9 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. This matchup features two teams with middling records, both vying to improve their standing as the season progresses. The Royals, currently holding a 48-42 record, will look to leverage their consistent offense and solid bullpen to secure a victory on the road. Meanwhile, the Cardinals, sitting at 49-43, will aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage and robust hitting to fend off the Royals.

Andre Pallante is the probable starting pitcher for the Royals. Pallante, with a 4-3 record and a 4.00 ERA, has been dependable but will need to bring his best to outduel the Cardinals' lineup. On the other side, Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Cardinals. Wacha, with a 5-6 record and a 3.74 ERA, has been solid this season and will look to add another win to his tally.

The Royals' hitting has been anchored by Masyn Winn, who leads the team with a .289 batting average. Nolan Gorman has been the power hitter for the Royals, leading with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs. For the Cardinals, Bobby Witt Jr. has been exceptional, boasting a .324 batting average and leading the team in home runs (15) and RBIs (61).

This game is poised to be a competitive affair with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. The Royals' bullpen, which ranks first in saves, will be critical in closing out the game if they have a lead. The Cardinals' ability to generate runs and their home record of 31-18 will be key factors in their favor.

 

Odds and Betting Lines

Betting Market	Odds
Over/Under	8.5
Kansas City Royals Moneyline	+100
St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline	-118

 

Pitching Probables

Pitcher	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Andre Pallante (KC)	4-3	4.00	36
Michael Wacha (STL)	5-6	3.74	75

 

Team Previews

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have been a middling team this season. Their hitting ranks 16th in the league with a .243 average and they've managed to score 363 runs, placing them 22nd in the league. They have a balanced lineup with Masyn Winn and Nolan Gorman leading the charge. The Royals' pitching staff has been reliable, with a team ERA of 3.95, ranking them 15th in the league. Their bullpen has been exceptional, leading the league with 34 saves. Defensive errors have been a concern, though, as they are tied for 17th with 46 errors committed this season.

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have shown more consistency this season. They rank 13th in hitting with a .246 average and have scored 418 runs, placing them 12th in the league. Bobby Witt Jr. has been the standout performer, leading in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. The Cardinals' pitching staff has been strong, with a team ERA of 3.79, ranking them 10th. Their bullpen has also been dependable, with 22 saves this season. Defensively, they have committed 45 errors, ranking them 20th in the league.

 

Team Injuries

Kansas City Royals

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Dan Altavilla	RP	Oblique	Expected to be out until at least Sep 18
Josh Taylor	RP	Biceps	Expected to be out until at least Jul 25

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Player Name	Position	Injury	Injury Status
Riley O'Brien	RP	Forearm	Expected to be out until at least Jul 19

 

Betting Trends

• The Royals are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
• The Cardinals are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
• The Royals are 24-24 on the road this season.
• The Cardinals are 31-18 at home this season.
• The Royals have hit the over in 38 out of 93 games this season.
• The Cardinals have hit the over in 39 out of 92 games this season.

 

Recent Games

Kansas City Royals

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Colorado	L 3-1	L
@ Colorado	W 10-1	W
vs Tampa Bay	L 10-8	L
vs Tampa Bay	W 4-2	W
vs Tampa Bay	L 5-1	L

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Opponent	Score	W/L
@ Washington	W 6-0	W
@ Washington	W 8-3	W
@ Washington	L 14-6	L
@ Washington	W 7-6	W
@ Pittsburgh	W 3-2	W

 

Team Rankings

Category	Kansas City Royals	St. Louis Cardinals
Hitting	16th	13th
Starting Pitching	15th	10th
Relief Pitching	1st	16th
Fielding	17th	20th

 

Significant Betting Stats

• The Royals are 24-24 on the road this season.
• The Cardinals are 31-18 at home this season.
• The Royals have hit the over in 38 out of 93 games this season.
• The Cardinals have hit the over in 39 out of 92 games this season.
• Andre Pallante has a 4-3 record with a 4.00 ERA.
• Michael Wacha has a 5-6 record with a 3.74 ERA.
• The Royals have committed 46 errors this season, ranking 17th.
• The Cardinals have committed 45 errors this season, ranking 20th.
• Masyn Winn leads the Royals with a .289 batting average.
• Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Cardinals with a .324 batting average.

 

Weather

The weather for the game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri is expected to be sunny with a temperature of 91°F. For more detailed weather information, you can visit the weather forecast.

 

Prediction

The St. Louis Cardinals have been strong at home, posting a 31-18 record. With Michael Wacha on the mound, who has been solid this season with a 3.74 ERA, the Cardinals have the edge in this matchup. The Royals have struggled on the road and with Andre Pallante's inconsistency, it will be challenging for them to secure a win. The Cardinals' lineup, led by Bobby Witt Jr., should be able to generate enough offense to support Wacha and claim victory.