The\u00a0right-hander Mikolas (4-2, 3.90 ERA) went six innings, allowing two hits and no runs in Kansas City on May 17. It was his longest start of the season and the fewest hits and runs he has allowed this year.<\/p>\n
The route Mikolas took to defeat the Royals may be difficult to repeat, however. He permitted nine hard-hit balls, his second most allowed this season, and a 67% hard-hit rate.<\/p>\n
His other two starts allowing nine or more hard-hit balls were two of his worse efforts of the season.<\/p>\n
Steady defense and some luck allowed Mikolas to turn in that strong start vs. Kansas City despite the loud contact.<\/p>\n
That pitch-to-contact path that failed for the Cardinals and starter Andre Pallante in Tuesday’s opener.<\/p>\n
For the Royals, rookie left-hander Noah Cameron (2-1, 1.05 ERA) will make his fifth career big-league start.<\/p>\n
The St. Joseph, Missouri, native\u00a0has gone six-plus innings and allowed one or fewer runs in all of his previous starts, including May 17 vs. the Cardinals.<\/p>\n
The Cardinals are 33-27, second in the National League Central and five games behind the Cubs.<\/p>\n
The Royals are 32-29, fourth in the American League Central.<\/p>\n
Rain in the forecast<\/p>\n
It has been a rainy day in St. Louis, and the precipitation is forecast to continue throughout the day and evening, putting the game in question.<\/p>\n
A tornado warning was issued for parts of the City of St. Louis Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Scattered storms remain likely throughout the evening, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n
Thursday’s rain chances are far lower, should the teams choose to play a doubleheader that day.<\/p>\n
How to watch Cardinals vs. Royals<\/p>\n
When:\u00a06:45 p.m. Wednesday<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0Busch Stadium in St. Louis<\/p>\n
TV\/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (live stream link<\/a>); KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the Cardinals Radio Network<\/a> as well as MLB.tv<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code<\/a> and see your choices for watching Cardinals games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lineups<\/p>\n 4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B<\/p>\n Injury report<\/p>\n Jordan Walker, OF (left wrist inflammation):\u00a0Walker felt pain in his left wrist during the Cardinals\u2019 most recent home stand and had the level of that pain go \u201cin and out\u201d when the club traveled to Baltimore for a three-game series, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. Walker attempted to take on-field batting practice Friday before the Cardinals\u2019 opened a three-game series vs. the Ranger but \u201cdidn\u2019t feel good” after taking a couple of swings, Marmol added. The Cardinals placed Walker on the 10-day injured list, a move that is retroactive to Thursday, knowing his injury would keep him out \u201cseveral days.\u201d Marmol believes Walker\u2019s stay won\u2019t be longer than the 10 days and may not require a rehab assignment.\u00a0Updated May 31<\/p>\n Zach Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain):\u00a0Lefty returned to Jupiter, Florida, and a resumption of his throwing program after going through a battery of exams and evaluations in St. Louis over the past week. He did not receive any additional treatments, which was a good result as they set up a plan for him to recover from a setback.\u00a0Updated May 26<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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