St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 5/17/26, 11:03 AM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 5/19/26 at 5:12 AM in MLB Picks

The St. Louis Cardinals (27-18, 12-10 Home) will go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon when they face the Kansas City Royals in the series finale. Game time at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO, is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EST with coverage provided by MLB.TV.

With a 4-2 win on Saturday, the Cardinals have won three in a row and four of their last five. At 27-187, the Cardinals are two games back of the Cubs in the NL Central division. As for the Royals, Kansas City’s losing streak has extended to six in a row.

Stephen Kolek is scheduled to get the start for the Royals. Kolek is 1-0 in two starts with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He got the win in his first outing, going six innings against the Guardians, allowing three earned runs. But his second outing didn’t go as well. He only lasted 4 2/3 innings, giving up five hits (two home runs) and five earned runs, but did not factor into the decision.

St. Louis is scheduled to start Andre Pallante on the mound. Pallante is 4-3 in eight starts with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has not brought his best stuff when pitching at home, where he is 1-3 in four starts with a 5.91 ERA and a .279 OBA.