The Cardinals are coming into this game with a 59-57 record this season but they have not been great in their recent games. They have lost 3 of their last 5 games and they have been struggling to get back into playoff contention in the NL. They are going up against a Royals team that is 64-52 this season and has been playing very well in their recent games as they are in the AL Wild Card race and pushing to secure a playoff spot in a very tight race with some very good teams. They just lost their last series at home against the Red Sox, but they have won 7 of their last 10 games and will be hungry to bounce back in this series by beating up on a weaker team. Miles Mikolas is starting for the Cardinals in this game and he is 8-9 with a 5.12 ERA this season. He has not been good all season and even in his recent starts he has been allowing more runs. He allowed 4 earned runs in his last start and has allowed at least 3 earned runs in 3 of his last 4 starts. He has also given up at least 7 hits in each of his last 4 starts and has not struck out more than 3 batters in each of his last 5 starts. He is going to give this Royals offense plenty of opportunities to get on base here and the Royals will make him pay as their offense has been heating up in recent games and they have been much better at home as a team this season as well. Michael Lorenzen is starting for the Royals in this game and he is 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA this season. He has been solid in his recent starts as he has allowed just 1 earned run in each of his last 2 starts as well as allowing 2 earned runs or less in 3 of his last 4 starts. He has also been a much better starter at home this season as he does not allow as many runs so he will be hungry to have a great start here in his 1st start at home as a Royal. The Royals have the offense to get to Mikolas for some runs here and they will continue to roll in this game as they push for a playoff spot in this final stretch of the season. The Royals will win this game at home.