On August 6, 2025, at 10:10 PM EDT, the Saint Louis Cardinals face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, concluding a three-game series in the 2025 MLB season. With the Cardinals holding a 3-1 season series lead after a 3-2 victory on August 4, this matchup pits a resurgent St. Louis squad against the NL West-leading Dodgers. Below is a comprehensive preview, including team analysis, pitching matchups, key players, recent form, and a definitive prediction, crafted with the authority of a seasoned MLB analyst.
Saint Louis Cardinals
- 2025 Record (as of early August): 57-57, 4th in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly since May 4, with a 21-9 record in that span, including a 5-0 shutout over the Dodgers on June 6. However, their 25-33 road record and recent 4-6 stretch highlight inconsistency. Their pitching and clutch hitting have kept them competitive, but they remain on the playoff bubble.
- Offensive Metrics:
- Batting Average: .249 (8th in NL)
- On-Base Percentage: .319
- Slugging Percentage: .388
- Home Runs: 107 (10th in NL)
- RBI: 42 (led by Willson Contreras)
- Runs per Game: ~4.3
- Pitching Metrics:
- Team ERA: 4.19
- WHIP: 1.29
- Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: ~2.0 (816 strikeouts, estimated)
- Runs Allowed per 9 Innings: ~4.5
- Strengths: St. Louis excels in clutch situations, as evidenced by Yohel Pozo’s tiebreaking RBI single on August 4. Their pitching, led by Sonny Gray’s recent seven-inning gem, and a strong bullpen (JoJo Romero, 2 saves) provide stability. Their 3-1 series lead over the Dodgers shows their ability to compete against elite teams.
- Weaknesses: A .209 batting average over their last 10 games and 29th ranking in strikeouts (816) indicate offensive struggles. Injuries to Nolan Arenado (shoulder) and John King (oblique) strain their roster depth.
Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2025 Record (as of early August): 65-48, 1st in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Dodgers lead the NL West with a potent offense and solid pitching, though a 7-9 record since the All-Star break and a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals on August 4 reveal vulnerabilities. Their 35-22 home record and ability to out-hit opponents (47-9 when out-hitting) make them formidable at Dodger Stadium.
- Offensive Metrics:
- Batting Average: .254
- On-Base Percentage: .329
- Slugging Percentage: .439
- Home Runs: 165 (1st in NL)
- RBI: 556 (T2nd in MLB)
- Runs per Game: ~5.0
- Pitching Metrics:
- Team ERA: 4.17
- WHIP: 1.31
- Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: ~2.5 (estimated)
- Runs Allowed per 9 Innings: ~4.2
- Strengths: The Dodgers’ offense, led by Shohei Ohtani’s 38 home runs, is a powerhouse, particularly at home. Their bullpen, despite injuries, remains effective, and their .296 BA against Cardinals’ pitching (135 at-bats) is a concern for St. Louis.
- Weaknesses: A depleted pitching staff, with injuries to Gavin Stone, Roki Sasaki, and others, strains their rotation. A recent .234 BA and 5 runs over their last 3 games signal offensive inconsistency.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Cardinals lead the 2025 season series 3-1, including a 5-0 shutout on June 6 and a 3-2 win on August 4. The Dodgers won 7-3 on June 8, avoiding a sweep.
- Recent Encounter: On August 4, St. Louis edged Los Angeles 3-2, with Yohel Pozo’s ninth-inning RBI single and Lars Nootbaar’s diving catch sealing the victory. The Cardinals have capitalized on the Dodgers’ recent offensive struggles (5 runs in last 3 games).
- Key Insight: The Cardinals’ pitching has stifled the Dodgers’ bats in recent matchups, but Los Angeles’ power (165 HRs) could exploit St. Louis’ 29th-ranked strikeout total.
Pitching Matchup
- Saint Louis Cardinals: Andre Pallante
- Pallante (4-3, 4.91 ERA) has been a serviceable starter, offering innings depth but struggling with consistency. His last outing against the Dodgers (June 2025) was unremarkable, and his 4.91 ERA suggests vulnerability against power hitters like Ohtani. However, his ground-ball tendencies could mitigate damage at Dodger Stadium.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May
- May (3-4, 4.09 ERA) returns from injury with a solid but not dominant 2025. His high-velocity fastball and ability to induce weak contact (1.24 WHIP) make him effective, though his lack of recent starts against St. Louis adds uncertainty. He faces a Cardinals lineup batting .207 over their last 6 games.
- Assessment: May’s lower ERA and home-field advantage give the Dodgers a slight edge. Pallante’s inconsistency could be exploited by the Dodgers’ power bats, though his ground-ball approach may keep runs down in a close contest.
Key Players to Monitor
- Saint Louis Cardinals:
- Willson Contreras (C): Leading with 15 HRs and 63 RBI, Contreras’ .284 BA and clutch hitting (e.g., August 4 single) make him pivotal.
- Lars Nootbaar (OF): Nootbaar’s defensive prowess (diving catch on August 4) and .281 BA in recent games add versatility.
- Masyn Winn (SS): Winn’s solo HR on August 4 ended a 32-game drought, and his speed could disrupt the Dodgers’ defense.
- Los Angeles Dodgers:
- Shohei Ohtani (DH): With 38 HRs and a .274 BA, Ohtani’s power is a constant threat, especially at home.
- Freddie Freeman (1B): Freeman’s 17-for-42 performance over the last 10 games (.405 BA) makes him a reliable run producer.
- Mookie Betts (OF): Betts’ 9 HRs and recent homer (June 8) highlight his ability to spark the lineup.
Recent Performance
- Saint Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals’ 57-57 record reflects a .500 season, with a 4-6 mark over their last 10 games. Their August 4 win (3-2) and June 6 shutout (5-0) over the Dodgers show their potential, but a .209 BA and 3.89 ERA in recent games indicate offensive and pitching challenges.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers’ 65-48 record and 6-4 mark over their last 10 games affirm their NL West lead, but a 7-9 post-All-Star stretch and a .234 BA recently suggest offensive struggles. Their 35-22 home record remains a strength.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Dodger Stadium’s neutral dimensions favor the Dodgers’ power-hitting lineup (165 HRs). However, the Cardinals’ pitching has held up in recent meetings, limiting Los Angeles’ output.
- Weather: Forecasts for August 6, 2025, in Los Angeles predict 73°F with clear skies, ideal for baseball and unlikely to impact play.
- Momentum: St. Louis carries momentum from their August 4 win and 3-1 series lead, but their 4-12 road record against strong opponents is a concern. The Dodgers, despite a recent loss, benefit from a favorable home schedule.
- Betting Odds: The Dodgers are favored at -180, with the Cardinals at +170, and the over/under set at 9.0 runs, reflecting expectations of a competitive game with potential for runs.
Prediction
The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a slight edge, driven by their superior home record (35-22) and power-hitting lineup (165 HRs), which should exploit Andre Pallante’s 4.91 ERA. Dustin May’s 4.09 ERA and high-velocity arsenal give the Dodgers a pitching advantage, particularly against a Cardinals lineup batting .207 recently. St. Louis’ pitching, led by recent standout performances from Gray and Romero, can keep games close, but their offensive struggles (.209 BA over last 10 games) and injuries (Arenado, King) limit their upside. The Dodgers’ depth, with Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts, should capitalize on Dodger Stadium’s conditions.
Final Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers win, 6-4. May outpitches Pallante, and a timely homer from Ohtani or Freeman secures the victory, though the Cardinals’ resilience keeps it competitive.
