Game Overview
- Time: 7:35 PM ET
- Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
- Broadcast: ESPN / MLB.tv
- Records: Cardinals (4th NL Central), Rays (4th AL East)
- Season Series: Cardinals lead 1–0
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starting Pitcher | W–L | ERA | WHIP | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | Miles Mikolas | 6–9 | 4.99 | 1.30 | 80 |
| Rays | Adrian Houser | 6–4 | 2.67 | 1.29 | 60 |
- Mikolas has struggled with consistency but remains a durable innings-eater.
- Houser has been sharp, posting a sub-3.00 ERA and limiting hard contact.
Team Trends
St. Louis Cardinals
- Last 10 Games: 4–6
- Batting Average: .251
- ERA: 4.85
- Top Performers:
- Alec Burleson: .285 AVG, 15 HR, 59 RBI
- Willson Contreras: 17 HR, 67 RBI
- Lars Nootbaar: 15-for-41, 1 HR, 4 RBI last 10 games
- Road Record: 29–35
- Power Profile: 25–9 when hitting 2+ HR
Tampa Bay Rays
- Last 10 Games: 4–6
- Batting Average: .239
- ERA: 5.52
- Top Performers:
- Junior Caminero: 35 HR, 85 RBI, .255 AVG
- Brandon Lowe: 24 HR, .269 AVG
- Chandler Simpson: .299 AVG, 2 triples, 16 walks
- Home Record: 32–33
- On-Base %: .313 (8th in AL)
Both teams are battling inconsistency, but Houser’s form and Tampa’s on-base strength give them a slight edge. St. Louis has the power to flip the script—especially if Burleson and Contreras stay hot—but they’ll need Mikolas to keep Caminero in check. Expect a tight, high-scoring affair with playoff urgency.
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 9
Tampa Bay Rays – 132
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 21, 2025
