The Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals face off in a National League showdown at Busch Stadium, with both teams looking to bounce back after dropping two of three in their previous series.
Game Overview
- Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
- Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Broadcast: Apple TV+
- Series Status: Game 1
Team Breakdown
Arizona Diamondbacks (26-24, 3rd in NL West)
- Last Series: Lost 2 of 3 vs. Dodgers
- Key Players:
- Corbin Carroll – Batting .286, with 9 home runs and 12 stolen bases.
- Ketel Marte – Hitting .292, with 14 doubles and 7 home runs.
- Zac Gallen (SP) – 3-5, 5.14 ERA, looking to rebound after allowing 6 earned runs in his last start.
St. Louis Cardinals (27-23, 2nd in NL Central)
- Last Series: Lost 2 of 3 vs. Tigers
- Key Players:
- Paul Goldschmidt – Batting .275, with 8 home runs and 30 RBIs.
- Nolan Arenado – Hitting .268, with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.
- Miles Mikolas (SP) – 3-2, 3.77 ERA, coming off a 6-inning shutout performance vs. Kansas City.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. Pitching Duel – Gallen vs. Mikolas
Gallen has struggled recently, allowing 6 earned runs in his last start, while Mikolas is coming off a dominant outing. If Gallen can regain his form, Arizona has a chance to steal a win.
2. Cardinals’ Home Advantage
St. Louis has been strong at home, boasting a 15-9 record at Busch Stadium. Can Arizona overcome the hostile environment?
3. Diamondbacks’ Speed vs. Cardinals’ Defense
Arizona ranks top five in stolen bases, while St. Louis has been average in defensive efficiency. If Carroll and Marte can get on base, expect Arizona to test the Cardinals’ defense.
4. NL Playoff Implications
Both teams are in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, making this series crucial for positioning in the standings.
Prediction & X-Factors
- Likely Outcome: A close, competitive game with pitching dictating the pace.
- X-Factors:
- Gallen’s ability to bounce back – If he limits walks, Arizona has the edge.
- Mikolas’ command – Can he replicate his last outing?
- Arizona’s aggressive baserunning – If they can disrupt St. Louis’ defense, they could steal a win.
Game Odds
Arizona Diamondbacks – 130
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 22, 2025
