Cardinals vs. Royals Friday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Jack Flaherty returns as St. Louis tries for last-ditch playoff push

There are several reasons why the St. Louis Cardinals have disappointed this season with a 58-56 record, third-place standing in the National League Central and likely to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, one big reason has been that ace and one-time NL Cy Young candidate Jack Flaherty hasn't pitched since the end of May. The right-hander will return Friday as the Cardinals visit the Royals in interleague action. St. Louis is a -135 favorite on the Caesars Sportsbook MLB odds.

The 25-year-old Flaherty opened the season at around +1500 to win the Cy Young and was off to an excellent start at 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 62 innings before going down with an oblique injury. Those are long-term injuries regardless, but obviously even more extreme on a pitcher. Flaherty got through three rehab appearances without issue.

It's not a coincidence the team is bringing Flaherty back in an American League park because he won't have to bat – St. Louis adds the designated hitter. Flaherty had aggravated his oblique tear while taking an at-bat on May 31 in his most recent big-league start. St. Louis also has seen pitchers Kwang Hyun Kim and Carlos Martinez go down while swinging a bat – this is why the DH will be universal starting next season (if there is one).

The Cardinals making a late playoff push is unlikely – they for sure aren't catching the first-place Brewers in the NL Central and are
6.5 games back of the second wild-card spot in the NL with a handful of other teams ahead of them. St. Louis is a +1500 long shot to make the playoffs and -5000 to miss.

Flaherty hasn't faced the Royals since 2020 and has allowed just two earned runs in 19 career innings against them – all coming on an Alcides Escobar two-run homer on Aug. 11, 2018. Flaherty carries a 14-inning scoreless streak vs. K.C. into Friday.

Kansas City, just playing out the string, will start lefty Mike Minor (8-10, 5.39). He pitched in St. Louis last Friday and allowed four runs and seven hits over five innings in a 4-2 loss. In his career, Minor is 203 with a 6.11 ERA vs. the Cardinals, which is his second highest career ERA against any opponent (8.57 vs. Texas).

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