The Chicago White Sox make the trip to Busch Stadium on Friday, September 11, 2026, for an 8:15 PM ET showdown against the St. Louis Cardinals. Anthony Kay gets the ball for Chicago against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore in what shapes up as a pitching-driven late-season contest. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the standings, and this road date gives the Sox a chance to show something away from home. Catch the action on Chicago Sports Network or ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM.

Pitching Matchup: Anthony Kay vs. Matthew Liberatore

Anthony Kay draws the start for the White Sox. Kay has been part of Chicago's rotation down the stretch, and Friday night he'll need to navigate a Cardinals lineup that has some pop in the middle of the order. Keeping St. Louis off the bases early will be critical — Busch Stadium crowds can get loud fast when the home team gets going.

Opposing Kay is Matthew Liberatore, a young left-hander who has shown the ability to keep hitters off-balance with a varied arsenal. Left-handed White Sox hitters will need to make adjustments and work counts against Liberatore rather than trying to do too much early.

Cardinals Lineup to Watch

St. Louis is sending out a lineup with some interesting pieces. Jordan Walker slots in at third in the order from right field, and Alec Burleson holds down the cleanup spot at first base. José Fermín leads off from the hot corner, and Masyn Winn — one of the more dynamic young shortstops in the National League — bats eighth. Do not let that lineup spot fool you; Winn is a threat every time he steps in the box.

• José Fermín (3B, leadoff): Sets the table at the top, so stranding him early matters.
• Jordan Walker (RF, No. 3): The power threat Chicago's pitching staff cannot afford to miss location against.
• Alec Burleson (1B, cleanup): The run-producing anchor of this Cardinals order.
• Masyn Winn (SS, No. 8): A disruptive presence who can turn the lineup over at an inopportune time.

Keys to the Game for Chicago

• Kay's command: Getting ahead in counts against this Cardinals lineup will dictate the tone of the outing. Falling behind will let St. Louis work walks and put pressure on the Sox bullpen.
• Handling Liberatore's left-handed stuff: Chicago will need patient at-bats and the ability to make adjustments as the game progresses against a pitcher who can locate to both sides of the plate.
• Bullpen management: Late September baseball means the roster is stretched. If Kay can give the Sox five or six innings, it protects a bullpen that will be leaned on as the season closes out.
• Road mentality: Busch Stadium is a legitimate home-field advantage. The White Sox need to stay disciplined and not let the environment speed up their game.

Prediction

This is a game that figures to be decided by pitching and a handful of key at-bats. Kay has the ability to keep the Sox in this one if he avoids the big inning, but Liberatore presents real challenges for Chicago's offense. The Cardinals' lineup depth, particularly with Walker and Burleson in the heart of the order, gives St. Louis an edge at home. Expect a competitive, low-scoring game — but the Cardinals take this one in a close finish, 4-2.