The St. Louis Cardinals enter a crucial series against the struggling Chicago White Sox, each team facing a tough season with recent poor performances. The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games, falling behind the Cubs in the NL Central, while the White Sox find themselves languishing at the bottom of the AL Central, 22.5 games behind the division leader.

On the mound, Matthew Liberatore is set to face Shane Smith; Liberatore's recent outings have been inconsistent, highlighting his 4.17 ERA and 3-6 record. In contrast, Smith has fared better with a 2.37 ERA, providing Chicago with a glimmer of hope. Betting odds favor the Cardinals with a moneyline of -154, while the game's total is set at 8.0 runs, reflecting expectations of potential offensive struggles.