The St. Louis Cardinals make the trip to American Family Field on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for a 7:10 PM ET regular season clash against the Milwaukee Brewers. Quinn Mathews gets the start for St. Louis against Milwaukee's Dustin May. With the season winding down, every game in a division rivalry carries weight, and this one is no different. Cardinals fans can catch the action on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM.

Starting Pitchers: Quinn Mathews vs. Dustin May

Quinn Mathews draws the assignment for the Cardinals in what shapes up as a significant late-season start. The young left-hander has been part of St. Louis's rotation conversation this season, and a strong outing on the road against a division opponent would be a meaningful statement. Mathews will need to work efficiently and keep Milwaukee's lineup off the bases to give the Cardinals a shot.

On the other side, Dustin May takes the mound for Milwaukee. May is a power arm who can dominate when he's right, and the Cardinals' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient to get to him. American Family Field has proven to be a tough environment for visiting clubs, and May pitching at home makes this a genuine challenge for St. Louis.

Milwaukee Brewers Starting Lineup to Watch

Milwaukee is sending out a lineup with some recognizable names and real threats. Here is how the Brewers are stacking up Saturday night:

• Jackson Chourio (LF) — The young outfielder leads off and has the speed and bat to create problems immediately.
• Brice Turang (2B) — A contact-oriented hitter who can set the table and put pressure on the defense.
• Jake Bauers (1B) — Batting third, Bauers provides a left-handed presence in the heart of the order.
• William Contreras (C) — One of the more dangerous hitters in the Brewers' lineup, Contreras at cleanup demands respect from Mathews.
• Gary Sánchez (DH) — A veteran presence with power who can change a game with one swing.
• Luis Lara (CF) — Batting sixth, Lara adds athleticism and speed in the middle of the field.
• Cooper Pratt (SS) — A younger contributor working his way through the lineup at seven.
• Brandon Lockridge (RF) — Speed and contact at the bottom of the order can keep innings alive.
• David Hamilton (3B) — Batting ninth, Hamilton is another versatile piece Milwaukee can deploy.

Keys to Watch for the Cardinals

• Mathews's command: If he falls behind hitters and works into deep counts, Milwaukee's lineup will make him pay. Early strikes are essential.
• Handling Contreras and Sánchez: The four and five hitters in Milwaukee's order represent the biggest power threats. The Cardinals cannot let those two beat them.
• Road situational hitting: St. Louis will need to cash in on opportunities against May. Leaving runners stranded on the road is a fast way to lose a tight game late in the season.
• Bullpen management: With a September schedule and roster expanded, how the Cardinals deploy their relief arms behind Mathews could define the outcome.

Prediction

This is a coin-flip game on paper. Two pitchers with something to prove, a Milwaukee lineup that can be dangerous top to bottom, and a Cardinals club that knows the stakes of a division road game. Mathews will need to be sharp for the Cardinals to steal one at American Family Field. Expect a low-scoring, competitive game that likely comes down to the bullpen or a big swing late. St. Louis ekes out a 3-2 win if Mathews can get through five or six strong innings and the Cardinals put together a key rally against Milwaukee's relief corps.