MLB: St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals odds, picks, and predictions

The Royals of Kansas City and the Cardinals of St. Louis will face off at Busch Stadium on Monday in Major League Baseball action. After losing eight of their previous ten games, the Kansas City Royals are in desperate need of a win. After splitting their previous ten games, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking for a win. In their last three games, the Kansas City Royals have scored six runs, and in five of their last eight games, they have scored four or more runs. When scoring four or more runs, the Royals have lost five of their last eight games. With 26 hits and 10 RBI, Andrew Benintendi leads the Royals, while Hunter Dozier and Bobby Witt Jr. have combined for 32 hits and 11 RBI. Zack Greinke takes the mound, and he's 0-1 with a 2.86 ERA and six strikeouts so far this season. Greinke has a 13-6 record versus the Cardinals in his career, with a 3.58 ERA and 112 strikeouts.

In their last three games, the St. Louis Cardinals have scored nine runs, and in five of their last eight games, they have scored three or fewer runs. When scoring three or fewer runs, the Cardinals have dropped six straight games. With 28 hits and 18 RBI, Nolan Arenado leads the Cardinals, while Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt have combined for 44 hits and 21 RBI. Steven Matz takes the mound, and he's 2-1 this season with a 6.11 ERA and 23 strikeouts. Matz will be facing the Royals for the second time in his career.

The Royals are 2-6 on the road and 2-8 overall in their last ten games. The Cardinals are 37-18 as underdogs in their previous 55 games and 31-13 overall in their last 44. In the Royals' last five games, the over is 3-1-1. In the Cardinals' last five games, the over is 4-1. The Royals have lost four of their previous five meetings at St. Louis, and are 7-20 in their last 27.

Greinke has pitched well, allowing only seven runs in 22 innings, but the Royals' offense hasn't been consistent, and they haven't been able to get out of their own way during this losing streak. Matz has had troubles in each of his four appearances, particularly at Busch, but given his track record, you'd think he'll get back on track eventually. Regardless of how you slice it, the Cardinals are the superior team here.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals picks, and predictions

My Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals