Kansas City @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2012 ) Kansas City 7, St. Louis 10

With their offense having woken up, the host St. Louis Cardinals meet the Kansas City Royals in the rubber game of a three-game series Sunday. St. Louis scored 14 runs in the first seven games of its nine-game homestand before erupting in a 10-7 win Saturday. No. 3 batter Matt Holliday, who hadn't homered since May 24, walloped a two-run homer, doubled twice and finished with five RBIs. St. Louis must win Sunday to have a winning homestand.

The Royals saw their four-game win streak end Saturday despite a homer and four RBIs from third baseman Mike Moustakas. They stranded 10 runners, hit into a double play and had a runner picked off. Kansas City, which visits Houston next on this road trip, will host the Cardinals next weekend in another installment of the I-70 series.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSKC, FS-M

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luis Mendoza (2-3, 4.89 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (5-7, 4.75 ERA)

Mendoza was very efficient last time out, holding the Brewers to one run on one hit over six innings. He threw just 74 pitches. But batters are hitting .286 against him overall and he has more walks (27) than strikeouts (23). This will be his seventh start of the season.

Wainwright has produced four quality starts in his last five outings. Against the Chicago White Sox last Tuesday, Wainwright allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings while fanning seven. He has struck out 21 in his last three starts. For the season, batters are hitting .268 against him.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Cards catcher Yadier Molina, who homered and drove in four runs Saturday, is expected to get Sunday off.

2. St. Louis is 17-15 at home, while Kansas City is 17-15 on the road.

3. Cards closer Jason Motte has 14 saves in 17 opportunities.