MLB Game Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (20-12) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (19-13)

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St. Louis Cardinals logo

Venue: Busch Stadium — St. Louis, Missouri

First Pitch: 4:15 PM CT / 2:15 PM PT

Broadcast: SportsNet LA / Bally Sports Midwest / MLB.tv

WEATHER REPORT — ST. LOUIS

Temperature: 72–75°F

Wind: 9–12 mph blowing out to left‑center

Sky: Mostly sunny

Impact:

Boost for right‑handed power hitters

Slight downgrade for fly‑ball pitchers

Warm air = better carry on deep balls

INJURY REPORT

Los Angeles Dodgers

Walker Buehler — IL (elbow)

Bobby Miller — IL (shoulder)

Max Muncy — IL (oblique)

Jason Heyward — day‑to‑day (hip)

Joe Kelly — IL (shoulder)

Dodgers’ rotation depth is tested, but the lineup remains elite.

St. Louis Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar — IL (hamstring)

Tommy Edman — IL (wrist)

Steven Matz — IL (back)

Giovanny Gallegos — IL (shoulder)

Willson Contreras — day‑to‑day (hand)

St. Louis is missing key defensive and on‑base pieces but remains competitive.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP

Los Angeles — RHP Tyler Glasnow (3–1, 3.28 ERA, 1.07 WHIP)

Glasnow has been dominant early in 2026. Elite strikeout rate, improved walk rate, and excellent road splits. His fastball/slider combo is overpowering when he’s ahead in counts.

St. Louis — RHP Sonny Gray (4–1, 2.91 ERA, 1.14 WHIP)

Gray continues to be one of MLB’s most consistent starters. Excellent command, elite curveball, and strong home performance. Dodgers’ right‑heavy lineup is a challenging matchup.

Pitching Edge: Slight to Dodgers (Glasnow’s strikeout ceiling).

TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM

Los Angeles Dodgers (20–12)

Last 10: 6–4

Road record: 9–7

Runs per game last 10: 5.3

Team ERA last 10: 3.72

The Dodgers are playing balanced baseball with elite run production.

St. Louis Cardinals (19–13)

Last 10: 7–3

Home record: 10–6

Runs per game last 10: 4.8

Team ERA last 10: 3.94

St. Louis is one of the hottest teams in the NL, especially at home.

KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS

1. Mookie Betts (LAD) vs. Sonny Gray

Betts is hitting .325 with 6 HR in his last 15 games.

Gray’s curveball is elite, but Betts crushes breaking balls. Micro‑edge: Betts

2. Freddie Freeman (LAD) vs. Cardinals Bullpen

Freeman has a .410 OBP in his last 12 games.

Cardinals bullpen ERA last 10: 4.62 Micro‑edge: Freeman

3. Nolan Arenado (STL) vs. Tyler Glasnow

Arenado is hitting .310 in his last 10.

Glasnow’s high‑spin fastball can challenge Arenado’s swing plane. Micro‑edge: Glasnow

4. Paul Goldschmidt (STL) vs. Dodgers Middle Relief

Goldschmidt has a .375 OBP in his last 10.

Dodgers middle relief has been inconsistent without Kelly. Micro‑edge: Goldschmidt

SERIES HISTORY

2025–26 Season Series: Dodgers lead 1–0 (LAD won 3–1 on May 1)

Last 10 meetings: Dodgers lead 6–4

At Busch Stadium: Dodgers 4–3 in last 7

Los Angeles has had a slight edge in recent years.

BETTING TRENDS

Los Angeles Dodgers

6–4 last 10

5–2 in last 7 road games

Over is 6–4 in last 10

7–3 in last 10 vs. NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals

7–3 last 10

6–2 in last 8 home games

Under is 6–4 in last 10

5–2 in last 7 vs. NL West

Game Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers      – 131

St. Louis Cardinals           9

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026