The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals will open a critical three-game set at Busch Stadium on April 25, 2025, as both National League Central rivals aim to gain traction in a division that remains tightly contested despite early-season inconsistencies. The Brewers arrive with a 12–11 record, showcasing a club that has found stability through timely hitting and surprisingly strong pitching performances, particularly from emerging arms like Chad Patrick, who enters this matchup with a 1–1 record and a stellar 2.11 ERA. The offense has been sparked by Brice Turang, who is hitting .346 and doing damage out of the leadoff spot, while Christian Yelich has returned to a productive form, leading the team in home runs (5) and RBIs (20). Milwaukee has also benefited from steady bullpen work, with several relievers stepping up in late innings to lock down close contests, making them a threat even in low-scoring affairs. Meanwhile, the Cardinals come into the game at 9–14 and looking to reverse a slow start that has been marked by streaky offense, blown leads, and inconsistencies in the rotation. Left-hander Matthew Liberatore will take the hill for St. Louis, aiming to build on a decent start to his season that features a 3.60 ERA despite a 1–2 record, a reflection of the club’s offensive struggles more than his own performance. Offensively, the Cardinals have leaned on Brendan Donovan, who enters the matchup swinging one of the hottest bats in the league with a .356 average, and Lars Nootbaar, who leads the team with 14 RBIs. Still, despite solid individual numbers from a few key contributors, the team has struggled to consistently string together productive innings or generate offense late in games—two issues that have repeatedly flipped winnable matchups into losses.

Their bullpen has been a particular sore spot, lacking the shutdown arms needed to protect slim leads or stop opposing rallies, which places added pressure on the starters to go deeper into games than their early form has often allowed. Defensively, the Cardinals have not helped their own cause either, with mental lapses and fielding errors contributing to extended innings and inflated pitch counts. The front office and fan base alike are anxious to see a turnaround, and this series against a division rival provides the perfect platform for St. Louis to reset and make up ground. But with the Brewers trending up and having already covered the spread in four of the last five meetings between these teams, the pressure is squarely on the Cardinals to start fast and avoid playing from behind against a team that thrives on rhythm and late-game execution. For Milwaukee, this game is about maintaining upward momentum and continuing to ride the wave of strong pitching and effective small-ball tactics. The Brewers have made it a habit of grinding out wins through base running, situational hitting, and playing clean defense—an approach that matches up well against a Cardinals squad that has struggled to finish games cleanly. With Chad Patrick emerging as a reliable option in the rotation and the offense showing more depth than expected through the first month, Milwaukee has a prime opportunity to set the tone for the weekend with a series-opening win. While it’s still early in the season, games within the division carry weight, and the Brewers are looking to assert themselves as legitimate contenders while sending a message that their formula for winning—while not flashy—is sustainable. If they can get a quality start from Patrick and continue to execute in pressure moments, they’re well-positioned to extend St. Louis’s frustrations and strengthen their own standing atop a division that looks more open than it has in years.