Cardinals Defeat Astros 4-1 in MLB Clash
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1:05 PM ET · Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
St. Louis Cardinals 4, Houston Astros 1, final. Our MLB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals?
St. Louis Cardinals beat Houston Astros 4-1 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 18, 2026.
In a decisive matchup at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals triumphed over the Houston Astros with a final score of 4-1. This victory extends the Cardinals' lead in the season series against the Astros to 5-1, showcasing their dominance in recent encounters. The Cardinals have demonstrated strong performances against the Astros, winning four of the five meetings this season.
The Cardinals entered this game with a home record of 13-9-2, while the Astros had an away record of 10-11-3. Over their last ten games, the Cardinals have struggled, posting a record of 5-5, but they were on a four-game losing streak before this victory. Their scoring average in these last ten games was 3.9 runs per game, while they allowed an average of 4.6 runs. In contrast, the Astros had a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, with an average of 3.3 runs scored and 4.5 runs allowed.
In terms of home versus away performance, the Cardinals have been better at home, with a record of 3-1 in their last four home games, while the Astros have struggled on the road, managing only a 1-4 record in their last five away games. This game was also significant as it took place at the Cardinals' home venue, which has historically been a challenging place for visiting teams.
Injury concerns were notable for both teams. The Cardinals were without Everson Pereira and Masyn Winn, both on the 10-Day Injured List, and Andre Pallante on the 15-Day IL. Ramon Urias and JJ Wetherholt were listed as Day-To-Day, adding to the team's challenges. The Astros faced their own injury woes, with Brice Matthews and Carlos Correa on the 60-Day IL, and Mike Burrows on the 15-Day IL.
The game featured several key scoring plays. The Cardinals took an early lead in the third inning when Moore doubled to right, allowing Church to score. The Astros managed to tie the game in the sixth inning when Whitcomb grounded out to second, scoring Nelson. However, the Cardinals regained control in the eighth inning with a home run by Peete, which was followed by another home run from Mendoza, bringing the score to 4-1 and securing the win for St. Louis.
The market had priced the Cardinals as strong favorites in this matchup, reflecting their recent form and home advantage. The conditions at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium were favorable for play, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.
Viewers were treated to a display of power hitting, particularly from the Cardinals in the later innings, which proved decisive in the outcome of the game. The Cardinals' ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, especially in high-pressure situations, was a key factor in their victory.
Injury report
- Everson Pereira10-Day-ILHandSt. Louis Cardinals
- Ramon UriasDay-To-DayArmSt. Louis Cardinals
- Masyn Winn10-Day-ILThumbSt. Louis Cardinals
- Andre Pallante15-Day-ILElbowSt. Louis Cardinals
- JJ Wetherholt10-Day-ILWristSt. Louis Cardinals
- Brice Matthews60-Day-ILKneeHouston Astros
- Mike Burrows15-Day-ILElbowHouston Astros
- Carlos Correa60-Day-ILAnkleHouston Astros
- Brandon Walter60-Day-ILElbowHouston Astros
Recent form
St. Louis Cardinals
Last 10: 5-5Streak L43.9 scored · 4.6 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L0-2at Chicago CubsSep 28
- L3-7at Chicago CubsSep 27
- L1-12at Chicago CubsSep 26
- L3-4at San Francisco GiantsSep 25
- W9-8at San Francisco GiantsSep 24
- W6-5at San Francisco GiantsSep 23
- W5-1vs Milwaukee BrewersSep 21
- W7-1vs Milwaukee BrewersSep 20
- L2-6vs Cincinnati RedsSep 17
- W3-0vs Cincinnati RedsSep 16
Houston Astros
Last 10: 4-6Streak W13.3 scored · 4.5 allowed per game1-4 away
- W6-1at Los Angeles AngelsSep 28
- L3-4at Los Angeles AngelsSep 27
- L0-6at AthleticsSep 25
- L1-5at AthleticsSep 24
- L3-7vs Seattle MarinersSep 21
- L0-4vs Seattle MarinersSep 20
- W5-2vs Texas RangersSep 18
- W6-5vs Texas RangersSep 17
- W6-3vs Texas RangersSep 16
- L3-8at Atlanta BravesSep 14
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | - | 69 | W1 | .507 | 71 |
| Texas | 2 | 71 | L1 | .493 | 69 |
| Seattle | 5 | 74 | W2 | .471 | 66 |
| Athletics | 17 | 86 | W1 | .386 | 54 |
| Los Angeles | 18 | 87 | L2 | .379 | 53 |
| Milwaukee | - | 53 | W2 | .621 | 87 |
| Chicago | 9 | 62 | L2 | .557 | 78 |
| St. Louis | 17 | 70 | W2 | .500 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh | 19 | 72 | L1 | .486 | 68 |
| Cincinnati | 20 | 73 | W2 | .479 | 67 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Inning0-1Moore doubled to right, Church scored.
- 6th Inning1-1Whitcomb grounded out to second, Nelson scored, Sacco to third.
- 8th Inning1-2Peete homered to right center (412 feet).
- 8th Inning1-4Mendoza homered to left, Gazdar scored.
Win probability
Above the line favours St. Louis Cardinals, below favours Houston Astros.
Venue
- Roger Dean Chevrolet StadiumJupiter, Florida
- Attendance4893
- OfficialsChris Conroy, Lance Barksdale, Ramon De Jesus, Ryan Additon
Elsewhere
- Fantasy baseball forecaster: Team hitting ratings
- Fantasy baseball forecaster: Pitcher projections for the next 10 days
- Fantasy Baseball Reliever Depth Chart
- MLB playoff tracker 2026: Clinching scenarios, bracket, schedule
- MLB betting tips for Thursday: Rays and the road don't seem to be getting along
- Fantasy baseball news and notes: Rutschman continues to sit for Red Sox and more for Thursday
Picks for MLB
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These two, other days
- Cardinals Edge Astros in Extra Innings ShowdownApr 19, 2026
- Cardinals Complete Sweep Over Astros in Close ContestApr 18, 2026
- Cardinals Sweep Astros in Impressive Series FinaleApr 17, 2026
- Cardinals Edge Astros in Close ContestMar 22, 2026
- Cardinals Edge Astros in Thrilling FinishMar 13, 2026