St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals Picks and Predictions June 5th 2025

St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals June 5th 2025

The Kansas City Royals will visit the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025. This afternoon game is set to begin at 1:45 PM and will be broadcast on FDSKC. Fans can expect mild weather with a light breeze and overcast clouds.

The Royals, managed by Matt Quatraro, have a season record of 32-29. They hold a road record of 13-16. On the other side, the Cardinals, led by Oliver Marmol, have a 33-27 record and a strong home performance at 19-9. Noah Cameron will start for the Royals, while Miles Mikolas will take the mound for the Cardinals.

Royals vs Cardinals Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• Venue: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO
• Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cardinals -133, Royals +112

The Royals Can Win If…

The Kansas City Royals enter their next game with momentum from their recent 10-7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Bobby Witt Jr. was a standout, hitting a home run and driving in four runs. Jonathan India also contributed with three hits and three runs scored, helping the Royals secure the victory.

The Royals’ pitching staff has been strong this season, ranking fourth in the league with a 3.19 ERA. Starter Noah Cameron has been impressive, with a 1.05 ERA and a WHIP of 0.82. His ability to keep opponents off the bases will be key in this game.

On offense, the Royals have shown they can hit, with a team batting average of .248, ranking ninth in the league. Maikel Garcia leads the team with a .313 average, while Bobby Witt Jr. has been a consistent run producer. Their ability to get on base and drive in runs gives the Royals a good chance to win this game.

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals are ready to bounce back after their recent 10-7 loss to the Kansas City Royals. In that game, Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman both hit home runs, showing their power at the plate. Despite the loss, the Cardinals collected 12 hits, which indicates their ability to generate offense.

Looking at their season stats, the Cardinals have a team batting average of .259, ranking them third in the league. They have also hit 112 doubles, placing them fourth. These numbers show their ability to get on base and drive the ball for extra bases, giving them a strong chance to put runs on the board.

On the mound, Miles Mikolas will start for the Cardinals. He has a 3.90 ERA and a 4-2 record, which makes him a reliable option. With a lineup that includes top hitters like Brendan Donovan and Iván Herrera, the Cardinals have the tools to secure a win against the Royals.

The Lean

The Cardinals are favored with a moneyline of -133. Our model projects them to win with a score of 5-3. The Cardinals have a higher batting average and on-base percentage, which gives them an edge over the Royals. Their pitching stats, including a lower ERA, also support this pick.

The over/under line is set at 8.0. Our model projects a total score of 8 runs. Given the strong pitching from both teams, especially the Cardinals’ low ERA, the under is a reasonable choice. The Royals’ lower slugging percentage also suggests fewer runs in this game.

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Cardinals vs. Royals Doubleheader: Rain Delay Sets the Stage for a High-Stakes Showdown

What was supposed to be a standard midweek matchup at Busch Stadium has turned into something much bigger. After heavy rain postponed Wednesday’s game, the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals will now face off in a day-night doubleheader on Thursday. It’s not just a makeup game — it’s a gut check for two squads chasing consistency at a critical point in the season.

For St. Louis, the timing is far from ideal. The Cardinals are about to play 12 games in just 11 days, and their rotation is already feeling the heat. They’ve dropped three of their last four games, giving up a staggering 29 runs in those defeats. And now, they’re being asked to stretch their bullpen and lean heavily on starting arms that are already running hot.

Need expert MLB predictions? Don’t miss the latest picks at the MLB Pick Page.

Game 1: Mikolas Looks to Right the Ship

Veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-2, 3.90 ERA) will start Game 1 for the Cardinals. He’s coming off a rough no-decision against Baltimore where he surrendered four runs on nine hits across four innings. But historically, Mikolas has been solid against Kansas City. In his May 17 start, he blanked the Royals through six innings, giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out four.

Overall, Mikolas holds a 3-0 record with a 1.67 ERA in four career starts vs. Kansas City. It’s a track record that should give Cardinals fans some confidence heading into the early game.

On the other side, the Royals are handing the ball to lefty Noah Cameron (2-1, 1.05 ERA). Cameron has been rock-solid this season, pitching into the seventh inning in all four of his starts. His last outing was a gem — six strong innings in a win over the Reds. The only time he faced the Cardinals was that May 17 duel against Mikolas, where he gave up just two hits and no walks, though the Royals lost 1-0.

Want to explore every team’s season outlook? Check out the MLB Team Page for in-depth breakdowns.

Game 2: A Lefty Duel with Plenty to Prove

When the sun sets on Busch Stadium, Game 2 will bring a different kind of energy — and two starters looking for redemption.

The Cardinals will roll with Matthew Liberatore (3-4, 3.08 ERA). He’s coming off one of his worst starts since April, allowing five runs (four earned) in a lopsided loss to Texas. Still, his body of work has been solid, and he’s determined to learn from the bumps. “You try and take something from every start,” he said. “Today, probably a few more things than some of the previous ones.”

Liberatore’s only previous start against the Royals came on May 18. He was effective, giving up just one run over six innings, although the Cardinals lost a tight one, 2-1. In all, he has a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Kansas City.

Pitching opposite him is Cole Ragans (2-3, 4.53 ERA), who’s making his return from the injured list. The lefty suffered a groin strain while facing the Cardinals on May 16 — a game where he struck out seven and walked none in five innings but gave up four runs. After one rehab start in Double-A, he’s expected to be on a pitch count.

Want to keep track of injuries, matchups, and more? Visit the MLB Odds Page for up-to-date data.

Kansas City’s Lineup Gets a Boost from Youth

While pitching takes center stage, don’t overlook the Royals’ batting order. Their 10-7 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday was powered by timely hitting and a jolt from top prospect Jac Caglianone. Though still fresh to the league, he’s already making noise.

Still, Royals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino urges everyone to pump the brakes: “He’s not a savior to this offense… He just needs to come into this lineup and be his best self.” Wise words — and a sign of a mature clubhouse willing to grow around its young talent.

Looking for pro-level betting tips on matchups like this one? Head to the Expert Betting Guide for edge-building insight.

Final Thoughts: Pressure on the Pitchers, Opportunity for the Bats

This doubleheader is more than just a schedule adjustment — it’s a stress test for both bullpens, coaching staffs, and lineups. The Cardinals are desperate to reverse their slide and stabilize a pitching staff under siege. The Royals, meanwhile, have momentum and youth on their side but must prove they can close out tight games.

If St. Louis can get strong outings from Mikolas and Liberatore, they’ll ease some of the pressure. If Kansas City’s young arms — especially Ragans off injury — hold up, it could signal this team is more than just scrappy. It’s an old-school baseball day: two games, one long battle, and no room for excuses.