Cardinals vs Astros Preview: Young Arms Face Late Innings

St. Louis enters Saturday's matchup riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Cleveland 5-3 on Wednesday. The Cardinals' success depends heavily on their young pitchers stepping up when the team needs them most. Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May carry major responsibility in the rotation because neither team has a proven ace right now. Kyle Leahy takes the mound today facing Houston's challenges. Young starters must prove they can be trusted in meaningful games. If these arms perform consistently, St. Louis can climb back into playoff contention this season.

Houston faces major changes after losing longtime ace Framber Valdez to free agency. Hunter Brown now leads the rotation as the team's top starter and must anchor the staff moving forward. The Astros also brought Tatsuya Imai from Japan, hoping he adjusts quickly to Major League Baseball. While the rotation is in transition, Houston possesses one advantage: Josh Hader remains one of baseball's most dominant closers. Hader's arm in the late innings gives the Astros a major edge closing out tight games. Peter Lambert starts today against St. Louis.

Yordan Alvarez remains one of baseball's most dangerous hitters when healthy, combining elite power with excellent contact skills. He missed time last season with injuries but brings incredible offensive weapons to the Astros lineup today. Jeremy Peña currently sits on the injured list after suffering a strain, but his balanced hitting and defense make him crucial. José Altuve, the face of Houston's franchise, continues producing offensively despite his smaller stature. Alec Burleson brings steady production for St. Louis, making consistent contact in the middle of the order. Both teams feature talented position players ready for battle.