Royals Face Cardinals Amid Ballpark Funding Debate

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Kansas City Royals square off against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 3, 2025, as the Missouri Legislature deliberates a potential new ballpark funding plan. Both teams are vying for a win, but the stakes are higher with lawmakers watching closely.

The Royals, currently at 31-29, look to improve their offensive struggles, scoring an average of 3.23 runs per game, which ranks 28th in Major League Baseball. Conversely, the Cardinals, now at 33-26, recently surged, boasting a strong May performance with a nine-game winning streak, scoring an average of 4.63 runs per game.

The Cardinals lead their season series against the Royals, having triumphed in two of three games played in Kansas City earlier this season. At home, they also have a formidable record of 19-8 and rank third-best in the league against teams with .500 records or better.

Offensively, the Cardinals succeed despite hitting fewer home runs than most teams. Players like Brendan Donovan, with a batting average of .361 against right-handers, and Lars Nootbaar, who is batting .309 at home, are providing key contributions. Iván Herrera stands out with a .448 batting average in clutch situations.

On the mound, the Cardinals’ Andre Pallante holds a groundball rate of 63.6%, the second-highest in baseball. Miles Mikolas, with a 1.67 ERA against the Royals, looks to maintain his dominance against them. Meanwhile, Royals pitcher Michael Lorenzen is set to go against Pallante in the anticipated matchup.

The Royals hope to turn around their offense, as they face a Cardinals team that leads in defensive metrics. The matchup is crucial, not only for the standings but also as both organizations navigate future ballpark decisions.

As the action unfolds, all eyes will be on St. Louis to see how both teams perform under the pressure of state legislative scrutiny.