On Monday, August 4, 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals travel to Dodger Stadium to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a National League matchup that brings together a resilient underdog against a division-leading powerhouse. The Dodgers enter with an approximate 65–47 record and remain one of the league’s most complete teams, boasting an elite lineup that features Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith, all capable of changing a game with one swing or a timely hit. St. Louis comes in at roughly 56–57, fighting to stay in the playoff race with a roster built on pitching discipline, situational hitting, and defensive consistency. Oddsmakers have installed Los Angeles as strong favorites at around –188 on the money line and –1.5 on the run line, with the total hovering near 8 runs, signaling expectations for modest scoring and an edge for the home team. The probable pitching matchup showcases a contrast of styles: the Cardinals are expected to start veteran right-hander Sonny Gray, whose 2025 season has been marked by command, efficiency, and ground-ball reliability, while the Dodgers turn to hard-throwing right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who brings a 7–4 record, a 3.15 ERA, and elite strikeout ability when healthy and in rhythm. For St. Louis to succeed, Gray will need to keep traffic off the bases, induce soft contact, and rely on the Cardinals’ solid infield defense to turn key double plays, while their bullpen—steady and underrated—must be ready to handle high-leverage innings.

Offensively, the Cardinals rely on Brendan Donovan to get on base, Nolan Arenado for veteran power and run production, and a supporting cast that includes Masyn Winn and other young contributors to apply pressure through disciplined at-bats and opportunistic base running. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will look to jump on Gray early, leveraging their patient, power-driven approach to force long innings and take advantage of any missed locations. Their bullpen, while talented, has been tested by injuries to Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech, so length from Glasnow will be critical to keep the late innings secure. Defensively, Los Angeles plays a clean and efficient brand of baseball, minimizing errors and supporting their pitchers with strong range in both the infield and outfield, which will be key against a Cardinals team that likes to create offense through small-ball tactics. Betting trends favor the Dodgers straight up but highlight their inconsistency against the spread, covering only 44% of games despite frequent wins, while St. Louis has posted a 33–29 ATS mark and historically covered six of their last ten head-to-head matchups, including multiple road covers at Dodger Stadium. The game’s outcome will likely hinge on execution in the middle innings—whether Glasnow can maintain dominance through six frames, if the Dodgers can convert runners in scoring position, and whether the Cardinals can generate pressure and keep the score within striking distance for their bullpen to impact the final frames. Expect a tactical, methodical game where pitching efficiency, defensive sharpness, and clutch hitting determine whether Los Angeles secures a comfortable home win or St. Louis leverages its underdog grit to cover and potentially steal a statement road victory.