The St. Louis Baseball Cards are gearing up for another exciting season of minor league baseball action. As a Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the Cards play in the Midwest League and face off against close geographic rivals like the Peoria Chiefs, Quad Cities River Bandits, and Cedar Rapids Kernels on a regular basis. In addition to these intra-Midwest League matchups, the Cards also take on other Class A clubs from both the Midwest and other minor league classifications throughout their 132 game regular season schedule.
The Cards kick off their 2021 campaign on the road with a three game set against the Beloit Snappers starting on April 8th. This Northern Division opponent provides a good early test for the squad as they begin working out any kinks. After wrapping up in Beloit, the Cards will then head straight to Peoria for their home opener against the Chiefs on April 13th at GCS Ballpark. This always highly anticipated Crosstown Showdown draws big crowds and marks the first chance for Cards fans to see their team in action at home this year.
After hosting Peoria for three games, the Cards hit the road again for a long nine game road trip taking them through Wisconsin, Iowa, and back to Illinois. First up are four games against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in Appleton starting on April 16th. Then it’s on to Clinton, Iowa for three versus the LumberKings before wrapping up the trip with a pair of games in South Bend, Indiana against the Cubs affiliate there. While road trips are never easy in minor league baseball, this early season stretch will be a good test of the team’s endurance and depth.
Once back home, the Cards get a chance to settle in at GCS Ballpark for an extended eight game homestand. First on the docket are four against the Quad Cities River Bandits on April 27th. This I-70 rivalry series always brings out big crowds. Next up are four with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, another key Midwest League foe. This homestand in late April provides a great opportunity for the Cards to gain momentum and put some wins on the board in front of their faithful fans.
May kicks off with the Cards back on the road starting with four games at West Michigan facing the Whitecaps. Then it’s back east for three in Lake County against the Captains. The month of May also features home series’ against Quad Cities, South Bend, and Peoria as the Cards look to climb up the division standings. Two more notable series in May sees the Cards hosting the LumberKings for three May 18th-20th and then a rare visit from the Fort Wayne TinCaps for three May 25th-27th.
June begins with the Cards back at GCS Ballpark to face the West Michigan Whitecaps for three games June 1st-3rd. After hitting the road for a brief two game set in Burlington against the Bees June 4th-5th, the Cards return home to host the Lake County Captains for three June 8th-10th. More important Midwest League series on the June schedule include four games each against the Beloit Snappers June 15th-18th and Cedar Rapids Kernels June 22nd-25th, both at GCS Ballpark. The Cards will wrap up the month with four in South Bend against the Cubs starting June 29th.
July starts with the Cards on the road in Wisconsin Dells to face the Timber Rattlers July 2nd-5th. After a brief stop back in St. Louis, the Cards hit the road again for matchups in Clinton July 9th-11th and Quad Cities July 13th-15th. A season-long nine game homestand then kicks off July 16th welcoming in the LumberKings for three, Kernels for three July 20th-22nd, and River Bandits for three July 23rd-25th. More important Midwest League play takes place at the end of July with four in Peoria July 27th-30th.
In August, the Cards will play eight of the first twelve games on the road including series’ in Burlington August 3rd-5th, Lake County August 10th-12th, and Beloit August 17th-19th. They’ll also host a pair of home series against West Michigan August 6th-8th and Cedar Rapids August 24th-26th. A key late season road trip sees St. Louis head to Clinton August 31st-September 2nd and Quad Cities September 7th-9th. With the pennant race heating up, these late season games take on added importance.
To wrap up the regular season in September, the Cards play nine of their final twelve games at home. Highlights include hosting Peoria September 14th-16th, South Bend September 21st-23rd, and Fort Wayne September 28th-30th. The Cards close out the regular season on the road with a season-ending three game set in Cedar Rapids October 1st-3rd.
If the Cards qualify, the Midwest League playoffs would begin in early September. As the Cubs’ High-A affiliate, developing top prospects while aiming for a championship is the goal each season in St. Louis. With so many regional rivals and meaningful games on the docket, 2021 promises to provide great minor league baseball drama throughout the summer. The St. Louis Baseball Cards can’t wait to get the season started and deliver exciting games for their loyal fans all year long.
