Cardinals-Royals Among MLB’s Most Heated Rivalries

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By True Deck | Last updated May 16, 2025 4:46 PM ET

While Cardinals and Cubs hold one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports, a new rival has emerged for the Cardinals and a big reason is something you probably wouldn’t expect.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals were recently named one of the matchups to watch as the MLB approaches Rivalry Week according to ESPN.

Rivalry Week is an exciting idea implemented by the league this season, designed to highlight the competitive nature of in-state and division matchups that might not always be on the national radar. The league has made it a priority to celebrate these rivalries and bring more attention to teams that have the potential for great drama on the field, and the Cardinals-Royals rivalry is one that MLB is hoping will continue to grow.

A look into what MLB's first-ever "Rivalry Weekend" has in store for us ⚔️

White Sox-Cubs
Guardians-Reds
Nationals-Orioles
Mets-Yankees
Braves-Red Sox
Rays-Marlins
Cardinals-Royals
Twins-Brewers
Mariners-Padres
Angels-Dodgers
Athletics-Giants
Astros-Rangers

This is gonna be FUN… pic.twitter.com/x6GslvfKVG
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 16, 2025

The teams first met in the 1985 World Series where the Royals won in seven games to bring the World Series to Kansas City for the first time. The 1985 World Series remains a key moment in both franchises' histories, with Kansas City’s first championship creating lasting memories, but also leaving a competitive chip on the Cardinals’ shoulder. It wasn’t until August 29, 1997, that the teams met in the regular season.

Per ESPN’s post, the rivalry could likely root from Mizzou. So many instate students from Kansas City and St. Louis go to Mizzou and it sits in between the two cities. The added element of Mizzou alumni and fans fueling the rivalry on both sides of the state adds a new dynamic, making it more personal for fans who see these matchups as a reflection of the pride they have for their cities.

Overall, St. Louis holds a 76-52 regular season record against Kansas City, but the Royals are pushing back, having won three of the four meetings from last season.

With both teams on hot streaks, the rivalry will be a fun one to watch in the MLB over the weekend, and the excitement surrounding these matchups is sure to continue growing. Fans from both cities are already bracing for the intensity that’s bound to follow in the coming seasons.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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