In the upcoming matchup on April 17, 2026, the Houston Astros will host the St. Louis Cardinals at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros, currently at 8-12, are looking to bounce back after losing their last game against the Colorado Rockies, while the Cardinals, with a 10-8 record, recently secured two wins against the Cleveland Guardians. Both teams rank fifth in their leagues for home runs, with the Astros hitting 21 and the Cardinals 20. Yordan Alvarez has been a standout for Houston, contributing significantly with 18 RBIs and a batting average of .328. For St. Louis, Jordan Walker leads with 8 home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .319 average. The Astros will start Peter Lambert, who is making his first MLB start since 2024, while the Cardinals will send Kyle Leahy to the mound, who has a 1-2 record and a 5.14 ERA. The odds favor the Astros slightly, with a moneyline of -143 against the Cardinals at +119. Predictions suggest a close game, with a projected score of Astros 5, Cardinals 3.