Astros vs Cardinals Pick: Cards’ Matz Gets His First Start of 2025 (Apr 16)

• Our Astros vs Cardinals pick assesses two teams hovering around. 500 trying to gain traction
• For St. Louis, lefty Steven Matz makes his first MLB start of 2025
• Houston sends righty Ronel Blanco to the mound
• Brendan Donovan is off to a scorching hot start for St. Louis

Blanco Tries To Bring His ERA Back to Earth

Astros’ veteran righty Ronel Blanco had his career year in 2024. He won 13 games, gave up 114 hits in 167.1 innings, and struck out 166. He also pitched a no-hitter.

In 2025, he has gotten off to a slow start. His ERA sits at just under 7. He went 5 innings, giving up 3 earned runs in his first start. His second start against the Twins was disastrous: 1.2 innings, 5 hits, and 4 earned runs.

His 2024 season should bring confidence in his turning it around.

The Astros have not been hitting. Yainer Diaz, Christian Walker, and Mauricio Dubon are all under .200. Jeremy Peña, Yordan Alvarez, and Cam Smith are also struggling.

For the Cardinals, Nolan Arenado is 1 for 2 vs Blanco with 1 walk and 1 home run. Alec Burleson is 1 for 3 with a double. The blazing Donovan is 1 for 3.

Career-Long Starter Matz Makes His First Start of 2025

The veteran lefty Matz began the season in the bullpen. In 5 appearances, he has thrown 11.2 innings and given up 11 hits and 3 earned runs. He’s struck out 6. Now, he gets his first start of the season.

It might behoove St. Louis to keep Matz in the rotation and hope he’s effective, making him an attractive trade candidate at midseason. Matz has had trouble with the Astros in the past. Jose Altuve is 3 for 6 with a home run. Alvarez is 3 for 5 with a home run. Dubon is 2 for 2 with a homer. Chas McCormick is 1 for 4 with a home run. Christian Walker is 3 for 14 but has a double and a homer run.

Donovan might be MLB’s biggest surprise. He leads the league in hits and is batting nearly .400. He has never hit above .284 in his career. He’s a solid player, to be sure. But a potential MVP? That would be a stunner.

Willson Contreras and Masyn Wynn are not hitting. Arenado is hitting well. He, too, could be a midseason trade target for teams hungry for a third baseman.

Astros vs Cardinals Pick: Houston’s Bats Will Show Life Against Matz

Although Matz has pitched well out of the bullpen this season, he has historically had trouble with key Astros’ bats. It’s only a matter of time before Blanco gets his act together. The Astros will take this game behind the bats and Blanco’s arm.