AL Central
Kansas City Royals
Kauffman Stadium · Kansas City
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team in the American League Central division.
Interleague Rivalry
Royals–Cardinals
The I-70 Series
The intrastate rivalry between Missouri's two MLB franchises, the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. It is named for Interstate 70, the highway connecting the two cities, and is occasionally called the Show-Me Series.
The Rivalry
This rivalry was born on the sport's biggest stage. The Royals and Cardinals had never met in a meaningful game until the 1985 World Series, a seven-game classic that turned cross-state proximity into genuine rivalry. Kansas City overcame a three-games-to-one deficit to win, with the series swung in part by a disputed Game 6 call at first base, and sealed by Bret Saberhagen's shutout in Game 7. The arrival of interleague play in 1997 revived the matchup, letting the two clubs meet in the regular season each year. Separated by roughly 250 miles of highway, the franchises split a single state's loyalties.
What's at Stake
The I-70 Series matters because it divides one state between two passionate fan bases linked by a few hours of interstate. For St. Louis, one of baseball's most decorated franchises, and for Kansas City, with its devoted Midwestern following, bragging rights run statewide. Regular-season meetings rarely carry October stakes, but the memory of 1985 ensures every game carries history and family allegiances.
Famous Moments
- 1985 — The Royals and Cardinals met in the World Series, the first non-exhibition games ever between the cross-state clubs.
- 1985 — A disputed call at first base in Game 6 helped Kansas City rally for a win that forced a decisive Game 7.
- 1985 — Bret Saberhagen threw a shutout in Game 7 as the Royals won 11-0 to claim their first World Series title.
- 1997 — Interleague play revived the rivalry; the Royals won the first regular-season meeting 16-5.
The Two Teams
Plan the Trip
The I-70 Series is built for a classic Midwestern road trip: about a four-hour drive along Interstate 70 connects Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium, famous for its outfield fountains, with St. Louis's Busch Stadium and its Gateway Arch backdrop. Fans can take in two well-loved ballparks and sample Kansas City barbecue and St. Louis food traditions in a single weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions: Royals–Cardinals
The two teams first met in 1985. The intrastate rivalry between Missouri's two MLB franchises, the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. It is named for Interstate 70, the highway connecting the two cities, and is occasionally called the Show-Me Series.
The I-70 Series matters because it divides one state between two passionate fan bases linked by a few hours of interstate. For St. Louis, one of baseball's most decorated franchises, and for Kansas City, with its devoted Midwestern following, bragging rights run statewide. Regular-season meetings rarely carry October stakes, but the memory of 1985 ensures every game carries history and family allegiances.
Yes — they meet in an interleague series during the 2026 MLB season.
Kansas City Royals host at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City; St. Louis Cardinals play at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.