KANSAS CITY — The scale wasn’t as large as what happened Thursday night as the Kansas City Royals drubbed the Cardinals for 14 runs and the ending wasn’t anywhere close to being as predictable.
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Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy throws a pitch in the first inning Friday, June 19, 2026, against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to break down the Nolan Gorman/Blaze Jordan swap and Dustin May’s shutout.
Photos: Cardinals drop second straight to Royals as Michael McGreevy struggles
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (27) makes a catch in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Isaac Collins (1) hits a two-run double in the fourth inning against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) slides into second against ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) reacts after being picked off at first base in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (27) runs for the ball in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) throws to first for a double play over ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals left fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) runs to first base after hitting a single in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman Jose Fermin (15) is congratulated by designated hitter Salvador Perez (13) after scoring a run in the fourth inning against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) singles in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A United States Air Force color guard during the national anthem before a game between the Kansas City Royals and ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A United States Air Force color guard during the national anthem before a game between the Kansas City Royals and ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) rounds second base in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws a pitch in the first inning against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws a pitch in the second inning against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) is congratulated by left fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) after scoring against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) walks out from the bullpen before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws to second base for an out in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) takes fielding practice before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) takes fielding practice before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) throws in the outfield before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Fans pass around a giant hot dog bun in the stands, during a game between the Kansas City Royals and ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) catches a pop up as second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) watches in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Tyler Tolbert (2) throws to first for a double play over ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals Nelson Velazquez (38) gets a hand from shortstop Masyn Winn (0) after scoring a run in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange (56) shakes hands with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) after beating the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Cardinals third baseman Blaze Jordan drives in two runs with a single in the ninth inning Friday, June 19, 2026, against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws to first for an out in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone (14) and Apple TV reporter Tricia Whitaker get dunked with ice water after beating the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (right) throws out ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (left) at first base in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws to first for an out in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker hits a sacrifice fly to score a run in the first inning Friday, June 19, 2026, against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy throws a pitch in the first inning Friday, June 19, 2026, against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
