The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-5 in the first game of their two-game series, with notable performances from Willson Contreras, who hit two home runs and set a career high with four RBIs. The Royals, who have a strong home record of 37-25, struggled against the Cardinals' offense. This matchup marked the fourth time the teams faced each other this season. In other news, the Tampa Bay Rays are starting a crucial nine-game homestand as they strive for a wild-card spot, beginning with a series against the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays recently lost to the Cardinals 5-2, with notable contributions from Nolan Arenado and Alec Burleson. Additionally, Victor Scott II hit his first major league home run in a 4-3 win over the Rays, highlighting the Cardinals' recent offensive prowess.