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If you listen closely, you can hear what’s different about this series between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. Yes, there is the whole Covid-19 thing, where it’s almost September and the Royals have played only 28 games, or that the Cardinals were out of commission for weeks because there was an infestation.
No, it’s not that there are no fans in the stands, though that is true as well. The Cardinals have filled up their stadiums year after year and have one of the most impressive attendance in Major League Baseball. That’s not the case this year, of course, but it’s not the Cardinals’ fault.
For those of you who said, “the Royals will be playing in St. Louis and won’t have to send their pitchers to bat,” you would be correct. The designated hitter is universal now, for this year at least, but if we’re being honest with ourselves it’s probably not going to change. I am just happy to see the Royals and the Cardinals both use the DH. It’s nice.
Royals lineup
Hopping on I-70 for some interleague action against our cross-state rivals.#AlwaysRoyal pic.twitter.com/zNfIayGjRN
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 24, 2020
Cardinals lineup
I-70 Series... LET'S GO pic.twitter.com/uOrizceGD7
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 24, 2020
The Royals will be in search of their 12th victory, the Cardinals in search of their 10th victory. Unfortunately, the Cardinals have played fewer games, so it’s not the achievement that it seems on the surface.