The St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies will meet at Citizens Bank Park on May 13, 2025, in a compelling National League clash between a red-hot Cardinals team riding an eight-game winning streak and a Phillies squad looking to snap out of an inconsistent stretch and reassert itself in the playoff race. The Cardinals, currently playing their best baseball of the season, come into the series with confidence and momentum on their side, having already taken two out of three games from Philadelphia in their April meeting and showcasing a strong blend of clutch hitting and reliable pitching. Matthew Liberatore is set to start for St. Louis and has been a steady presence on the mound, entering the matchup with a 3-3 record and a 3.07 ERA, including a dominant seven-inning outing in his last appearance against Pittsburgh in which he allowed just one earned run and struck out eight. The Cardinals’ offense has been sparked by the recent performances of Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and perennial All-Star Nolan Arenado, with each player contributing timely hits and solid defensive work that has helped the team pull out close games. Meanwhile, the Phillies are hoping to regain their footing after dropping six of their last nine games against the spread, despite strong outings from left-hander Christopher Sanchez, who brings a 4-1 record and a 2.89 ERA into this game and is coming off a stellar start against Tampa Bay where he threw six scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.

Philadelphia’s recent issues have centered around inconsistent run production, with too much pressure being placed on the pitching staff to carry the load while the offense has failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Historically, the Cardinals have been trending toward low-scoring outcomes, with the total going UNDER in seven of their last nine games, and if this trend continues, it could again come down to which team executes better with runners in scoring position. Defensively, both teams have held their own, but St. Louis has been slightly sharper in recent weeks, avoiding costly errors and turning in solid glove work that’s kept their pitching staff in command. From a betting angle, the Cardinals appear to be the more reliable play given their recent form, but the Phillies have the tools to turn the tide quickly if the top of their order finds rhythm and Sanchez delivers another quality start. In what promises to be a tight, competitive matchup, the outcome may hinge on which bullpen holds up better in the later innings, and whether the Phillies can shake off their recent funk and take advantage of home-field conditions. With both teams harboring postseason ambitions and each rotation slot proving critical in the tight NL playoff race, this game could serve as a pivotal momentum swing as the mid-May schedule heats up.