The St. Louis Cardinals face the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 12:10 PM EDT at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. With the series tied 1-1 after a 7-4 Cardinals win on Thursday and a 10-6 Rays victory on Friday, this interleague matchup is a crucial rubber game. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
St. Louis Cardinals
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 64-66, 3rd in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Cardinals are 4-6 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.3 runs/game with a .251 batting average and a 4.55 ERA. Alec Burleson’s .284 BA and Willson Contreras’ 17 HRs lead the offense, though injuries to Nolan Arenado (shoulder) and Zack Thompson (lat) test their depth.
- Strengths: Elite defense (top-ranked OAA) and a 29-28 record as favorites.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent starting pitching (4.35 ERA on the road) and a 29-35 road record.
- Player to Watch: Alec Burleson (1B) – His .284 BA, 15 HRs, and 57 RBI, with a 2-for-4 performance in Friday’s loss, make him a key contact hitter.
Tampa Bay Rays
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 62-67, 4th in AL East
- Performance Overview: The Rays are 4-6 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.9 runs/game with a .239 batting average and a 5.69 ERA. Junior Caminero’s 35 HRs and Yandy Diaz’s .279 BA drive the offense, but injuries to Yandy Diaz (hamstring, day-to-day) and Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) hurt their lineup.
- Strengths: Strong power hitting (143 HRs, 16th in MLB) and a 32-33 home record.
- Weaknesses: Weak defense (26th in OAA) and bullpen struggles (5.69 ERA in last 10).
- Player to Watch: Junior Caminero (3B) – His 35 HRs, 85 RBI, and 4-for-5 with 2 RBI in Friday’s win make him a dynamic power threat.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The series is tied 1-1 in 2025, with the Cardinals winning 7-4 on August 21 and the Rays taking a 10-6 victory on August 22. The teams split their 2024 series 2-2.
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, the Rays won 10-6, with Jake Mangum’s 4-for-5 performance and Adrian Houser’s 6.1 innings outpacing Miles Mikolas.
- Key Insight: The Cardinals’ defense and bullpen give them an edge, but the Rays’ power bats thrive at home, setting up a close contest.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | Matthew Liberatore (LHP) | 6-10 | 4.13 | 122.2 | 93 | 1.19 |
| Rays | Ryan Pepiot (RHP) | 8-10 | 3.95 | 148.2 | 146 | 1.19 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Matthew Liberatore (Cardinals)
- Strengths: Decent command (1.19 WHIP) and a 4.13 ERA, with a 3.80 ERA on the road, effective when mixing his curveball and fastball.
- Negatives: Struggles with consistency (3 ER in 5 IP vs. Miami on August 18) could be exploited by Caminero’s power.
- Ryan Pepiot (Rays)
- Strengths: Solid strikeout rate (8.9 K/9), a 3.95 ERA, and a 3.70 ERA at home, with a slider that challenges contact hitters.
- Negatives: Recent struggles (4 ER in 5.2 IP vs. San Francisco on August 17) could be targeted by Burleson and Contreras.
Key Players to Monitor
- St. Louis Cardinals:
- Alec Burleson (1B): .284 BA, 15 HRs, 57 RBI, clutch with 2-for-4 in Friday’s game.
- Willson Contreras (C): 17 HRs, 67 RBI, hitting .294 in last 5 games with a homer.
- Lars Nootbaar (LF): .240 BA, 13 HRs, hot with .409 in last 5 games.
- Tampa Bay Rays:
- Junior Caminero (3B): 35 HRs, 85 RBI, .246 BA, red-hot with 4-for-5 in Friday’s win.
- Jake Mangum (RF): .301 BA, 18 RBI, a contact hitter with 4-for-5 and 2 RBI in Friday’s game.
- Brandon Lowe (2B): 24 HRs, .269 BA, hitting .280 in last 7 games.
Recent Performance
- St. Louis Cardinals: At 64-66, the Cardinals are 4-6 in their last 10, scoring 43 runs while allowing 46, with their defense and clutch hitting driving wins.
- Tampa Bay Rays: At 62-67, the Rays are 4-6 in their last 10, scoring 39 runs and allowing 57, with their power bats sparking their recent win.
Critical Factors
- Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field’s neutral dimensions (4.10 park ERA) favor both teams’ power bats, especially Caminero and Contreras.
- Weather: Forecasted at 85°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for a high-scoring game.
- Momentum: The Rays’ offensive surge in Friday’s win contrasts with the Cardinals’ defensive strength and series competitiveness.
- Betting Odds: Rays favored at -120, with over/under at 8.5, reflecting their home-field edge and offensive potential.
Prediction
The Tampa Bay Rays have a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Ryan Pepiot’s 3.95 ERA and strong strikeout rate against Matthew Liberatore’s 4.13 ERA. The Cardinals’ defense and bullpen, paired with Burleson’s hot bat, could keep it close, but Tampa’s power hitters, led by Caminero, should capitalize on Liberatore’s inconsistencies. The Rays’ bullpen will likely hold off a late Cardinals rally.
Final Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays win, 6-4. Caminero hits a homer, and Pepiot pitches six solid innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay Rays (-120) – Pepiot’s home strength and Tampa’s power bats make them a solid pick.
- Over 8.5 Runs – Both teams’ power hitting and the park’s neutral setup suggest a high-scoring game.
- Junior Caminero to Record an RBI (+135) – His 35 HRs and recent hot streak offer strong value against Liberatore.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 23, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on FDSSUN or FDSMW.
