Better starting pitcher. Better spot. A key injury. Those are the main factors why I like St. Louis to beat Kansas City today.

The Royals will be without catcher Salvador Perez, who is on the DL after suffering a right intercostal strain this past Friday.

The Royals had to play a doubleheader Sunday. Their bullpen is fatigued.

The Cardinals have the stronger pitching matchup here with Carlos Martinez facing Ian Kennedy.

Martinez has pitched better than his 7-9 record shows. He's a "B" pitcher in my ratings. Kennedy doesn't rate that high especially at Kauffman Stadium where he carries a 13-game home winless streak. That includes an 0-4 mark this year with a 4.98 ERA.

Kennedy doesn't have a good track record versus the Cardinals either going 3-5 with a 7.20 ERA in eight previous starts.