The St. Louis Cardinals head to Target Field on Sunday to close out their interleague series against the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM CDT (11:40 PM IST). The Cardinals (38-30) sit second in the NL Central and bring better recent road form. The Twins (32-40) are fighting to stay relevant in the AL Central and will lean on home cooking and Byron Buxton’s dynamic play.
This matchup features two right-handers with very different profiles. Michael McGreevy has quietly posted one of the better ERAs in the rotation. Taj Bradley misses bats at a high rate but has given up more hard contact at times. Expect a game that could be decided by one big swing or a bullpen move in the middle innings.
Date, Time & Venue
Sunday, June 14, 2026 1:10 PM CDT (11:40 PM IST) Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target Field plays fair but rewards right-handed power hitters who can pull the ball into the short right-field porch (328 feet). The afternoon sun and typical June warmth should help the ball carry a bit.
Injury Updates & Team News
The Cardinals are missing several arms. Ryan Fernandez (back) is on the 15-day IL. Longer-term absences include Ixan Henderson and Sem Robberse. Ramón Urías remains out with an elbow issue.
The Twins have dealt with significant pitching injuries all season. Garrett Acton (shoulder) is on the 60-day IL. Bailey Ober, Mick Abel, and Pablo López are also sidelined. Ryan Jeffers (hand) is on the 10-day IL. The depth has been tested, but the everyday position players remain relatively healthy, with Buxton providing the biggest spark.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Michael McGreevy (STL) has been the steadier arm lately. His 2.99 ERA and 1.08 WHIP reflect excellent command and the ability to keep the ball on the ground. He has limited home runs and doesn’t walk many. Against a Twins lineup that can be streaky, his ability to work deep into games gives St. Louis a real chance to shorten the contest for their bullpen.
Taj Bradley (MIN) brings swing-and-miss stuff (73 strikeouts in 65 innings). However, the 4.02 ERA and higher WHIP show he can be hit when his command slips. The Cardinals have several left-handed bats who could exploit any mistakes up in the zone.
Pitching Comparison Table
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | K | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGreevy | STL | 3-5 | 2.99 | 1.08 | 72.1 | 49 | 17 | 10 |
| Bradley | MIN | 5-3 | 4.02 | 1.38 | 65.0 | 73 | 29 | 9 |
Probable Lineups (Subject to Change)
Cardinals (recent form): Masyn Winn SS, Iván Herrera DH, Jordan Walker RF, Nelson Velázquez LF, Alec Burleson 1B, Blaze Jordan 3B, José Fermín 2B, Pedro Pagés C, and center field options including speed or power bats.
Twins: Byron Buxton CF leads the way with his blend of power and speed. Expect a mix of contact hitters and power threats around him, with the lineup looking to manufacture runs against McGreevy’s ground-ball tendencies.
Key Player Battles
- Jordan Walker vs. Bradley’s fastball/slider mix — Walker has shown he can drive the ball to all fields.
- Buxton’s explosiveness on the bases and in center field against McGreevy’s ability to induce weak contact.
- The Cardinals’ lefty bats (Burleson, possibly others) trying to lift balls against Bradley.
Weather & Game Conditions at Target Field
Expect pleasant early-summer weather — mid to upper 60s to low 70s at first pitch, mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, and light winds. No rain is in the immediate forecast. The ball should carry well in the warm air, and the outfield grass should be in good shape. Conditions favor hitters slightly more than pitchers as the afternoon progresses.
Head-to-Head Records
The Cardinals hold a historical edge in the all-time series. In recent years the matchups have been competitive, with plenty of offense. This 2026 three-game set has already featured high-scoring games, including a 9-8 Twins win earlier in the series. Expect another tight battle on Sunday.
Current Standings Snapshot
- Cardinals: 38-30 (.559), 2nd in NL Central (roughly 4.5 GB of the leader)
- Twins: 32-40 (.444), 3rd in AL Central (7 GB)
St. Louis has played better on the road this season (19-14). Minnesota is hovering around .500 at home but needs wins to climb back into the wild-card conversation.
Match Prediction & Betting Outlook
McGreevy’s command and ground-ball profile give the Cardinals a slight edge on the mound. The Twins will counter with home-field energy and Buxton’s ability to change a game in one at-bat or with his legs.
Predicted Final Score: Cardinals 5, Twins 4 (close, low-to-mid total around 8.5–9 runs). The over/under sits near 8.5–9. A sharp McGreevy outing could push it under, while any Bradley control issues or a Buxton homer could push it over. Moneyline looks close to even or a slight lean toward St. Louis.
Fantasy Baseball Tips (DFS & Season-Long)
- Cardinals stack: Walker and Burleson look appealing against Bradley’s ERA. Winn and Herrera add contact and on-base skills.
- Twins angles: Buxton is the clear priority for power/speed. Look for any lefty or power bats who can elevate against McGreevy if he leaves anything up.
- Pitching: McGreevy is the stronger streaming or DFS option today because of his WHIP and ability to go deeper. Bradley’s strikeout upside is real but carries more risk.
- Small-slate players should prioritize the top bats on both sides and consider bullpen arms if either starter exits early.
How to Watch: TV & Streaming
- Streaming: MLB.TV (subject to blackout rules)
- Local: Twins.TV and Cardinals.TV regional feeds
- No major national broadcast announced for this afternoon game. Check your local listings or MLB app for the most up-to-date channel information.
The Cardinals enter with the better pitching matchup and road confidence. The Twins have the home crowd and a superstar in Buxton who can steal a game. This series finale should deliver the kind of tense, back-and-forth baseball that makes interleague play fun.
