Game Preview 5/18: Cards vs. Royals

Cardinals go for the sweep.

Two down, one to go. This has been a very successful road trip for the Cardinals. When this road trip started the Cardinals had a severe road problem, and no matter what happens today, they have turned their abysmal road record around into respectable territory. Nonetheless, the Cardinals are hoping for a sweep, especially with the difficult Detroit Tigers ahead of the Cards (and then the Diamondbacks and Rangers).

Today they face old friend Michael Wacha who is on his fifth different team since leaving the Cards. Probably partially due to playing at Kaufmann, Wacha is experience what may become known as the Mikolas. None of his flyballs are leaving the yard. Much like Mikolas, it almost entirely explains his ERA. Wacha’s K rate of 17.4% and xFIP of 4.32 suggest a much less difficult matchup than his ERA would suggest.

How to watch: FanDuel Sports Midwest

How to listen: 1120 AM KMOX/ 104.1 FM

First pitch: 1:10 PM

Todays matchup:

Matthew Liberatore (3.11 ERA/2.31 FIP/3.16 xFIP)

vs.

Michael Wacha (2.96 ERA/3.11 ERA/4.32 xFIP)

Players to Watch

STL: Alec Burleson. The Cardinals sure have faced a lot of lefties lately, which means that Burleson getting it back on track has taken a longer amount days than actual games played so far. Burly has hit three homers in his past eight games and he has his work cut out from him to hit one today at Kaufmann.

KC: Vinnie Pasquantino: The third hardest hit of yesterday’s game was hit by Pasquantino, who was robbed by Victor Scott. It would have been a double, not a homer, but he is very much on against the Cardinals this weekend, hitting a homer on Friday night against Andre Pallante. Let’s hope Liberatore being a lefty neutralizes him.