The May 20, 2025 interleague matchup between the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium is shaping up as one of the most compelling games on the schedule, pitting the American League’s best team against one of the National League’s hottest. The Tigers enter the contest with a sparkling 31–16 record, sitting atop the AL Central with a five-game lead and showing few signs of slowing down. Under manager A.J. Hinch, Detroit has become a model of balance and resilience—winning games with a mix of stellar defense, timely hitting, and quality pitching, even as injuries have impacted their rotation. In this game, they’ll be turning to left-hander Sean Guenther, who will be making his first career MLB start after several solid relief appearances. Guenther owns a 2.25 ERA in eight innings and will likely be followed by Keider Montero in a bullpen-by-committee strategy designed to cover for the absence of starters like Casey Mize. While Detroit’s rotation has been thinned, their offense has picked up the slack, with steady production from a deep and diverse lineup that includes young breakout players and steady veterans. The Tigers have excelled in series openers and on the road, covering the spread in 14 of their last 21 road contests, a testament to their preparedness and adaptability. On the other side, the Cardinals come into the game with a 26–21 record and are in the midst of a major upswing, having won 16 of their last 22 games to climb into second place in the NL Central. St. Louis is just two games behind the Chicago Cubs and has used its recent run to reassert itself as a division contender after an inconsistent start to the season.

At home, the Cardinals have been particularly dominant, posting a 15–6 record at Busch Stadium and losing just one series on their home field all year. Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray will get the start for St. Louis, entering with a 4–1 record and a 4.50 ERA. While Gray was roughed up in his last outing against the Phillies, he’s been reliable for much of the season and will be looking to bounce back with the support of a Cardinals lineup that’s clicking. Offensively, the team has relied on the consistent bat of Nolan Arenado, the emerging production of Lars Nootbaar, and the gritty versatility of Brendan Donovan. Defensively, the Cardinals continue to be one of the league’s more efficient teams, helping suppress runs even when the pitching isn’t elite. With both teams among the best in recent form—Detroit riding the momentum of a series win over Toronto and St. Louis recently toppling the Phillies and Royals—this game is expected to be tightly contested. It could come down to execution in the middle innings, especially if Detroit’s bullpen plan doesn’t hold up or if Sonny Gray’s early command falters. Still, both teams have shown a knack for responding under pressure, and this matchup feels like an early barometer for two clubs with legitimate postseason ambitions. The Tigers will look to assert their dominance as the AL’s best, while the Cardinals aim to keep climbing and remind the National League they’re once again a serious threat.