MLB Game Preview: Athletics (63-75) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (68-70)

Venue & Game Info

• Date & Time: Monday, September 1, 2025 – First pitch 2:15 PM ET / 1:15 PM CT
• Venue: Busch Stadium, 700 Clark Street, St. Louis, MO 63102
• Broadcast: FDSMW (St. Louis), NBCS‑CA (Oakland), MLB.TV (out‑of‑market)

Weather Forecast (St. Louis, MO)

• Conditions: Warm, broken clouds
• Temperature: ~88°F (31°C) at first pitch
• Humidity: ~60%
• Wind: ~7 mph, light breeze from the southeast
• Precipitation: ~30% chance of scattered showers — delays unlikely
• Impact: Slightly hitter‑friendly with warm air aiding carry

Injury Report

Oakland Athletics

• Nick Kurtz (1B) – Questionable, oblique
• Joey Estes (SP) – 15‑Day IL, back
• Jacob Lopez (SP) – 15‑Day IL, elbow flexor strain
• Luis Medina (SP) – 60‑Day IL, elbow
• Ben Bowden (RP) – 15‑Day IL, lat strain
• Jack Perkins (SP) – 15‑Day IL, shoulder
• Austin Wynns (C) – 60‑Day IL, abdomen
• Luis Severino (SP) – 15‑Day IL, oblique
• Max Muncy (INF) – 10‑Day IL, hand fracture
• Denzel Clarke (CF) – 10‑Day IL, hip/adductor strain
• Grant Holman (RP) – 60‑Day IL, shoulder
• Gunnar Hoglund (SP) – 60‑Day IL, hip surgery
• Seth Brown (LF) – 10‑Day IL, elbow
• Jose Leclerc (RP) – 60‑Day IL, shoulder

St. Louis Cardinals

• Yohel Pozo (C) – 7‑Day IL, concussion
• Alec Burleson (1B/OF) – 10‑Day IL, wrist
• John King (RP) – 15‑Day IL, back strain
• Brendan Donovan (2B) – 10‑Day IL, groin
• Victor Scott II (CF) – 10‑Day IL, ankle
• Nolan Arenado (3B) – 10‑Day IL, shoulder strain
• Zack Thompson (SP) – 60‑Day IL, lat strain

Projected Starting Pitchers

• OAK: RHP Luis Morales (2‑0, 1.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 22 K in 22.2 IP) – Opponents hitting just .156; coming off 7 scoreless innings vs. DET.
• STL: RHP Sonny Gray (12‑7, 4.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 168 K in 152.1 IP) – 12 quality starts; 9.9 K/9; allowed ≤3 ER in 7 straight starts.

Key Player Matchups

Athletics Offense

• Brent Rooker: .271 AVG, 34 2B, 3 3B, 27 HR, 79 RBI — 21st in MLB HR, 23rd in RBI.
• Tyler Soderstrom: .270 AVG, 27 2B, 23 HR, 73 RBI — 38th in HR, 25th in RBI.
• Shea Langeliers: .261 AVG, 29 HR — team HR leader.
• Nick Kurtz: .308 AVG, 27 HR, .630 SLG — elite power if active.

St. Louis Cardinals Offense

• Willson Contreras: .253 AVG, 20 HR, 74 RBI — team leader in HR & RBI.
• Masyn Winn: .255 AVG, 27 2B, 9 HR — speed/contact threat.
• Lars Nootbaar: .239 AVG, 22 2B, 13 HR — .350 AVG over last 5 games.
• Ivan Herrera: .286 AVG, 11 HR — 6‑game hit streak.

Recent Form

Athletics

• Last 10: 5‑5 (.237 AVG, 4.70 ERA, -1 run diff)
• Road record: 34‑35
• 33‑19 when hitting 2+ HR in a game

St. Louis Cardinals

• Last 10: 5‑5 (.217 AVG, 4.60 ERA, -7 run diff)
• Home record: 37‑32
• 50‑24 when recording 8+ hits

Series History

• All‑Time (Reg + Post): 19‑19 overall
• Recent: STL leads 4‑2 in last 6 meetings (since 2023)
• Last meeting: April 17, 2024 — OAK won 6‑3 at home

Betting Trends

Athletics

• 44.8% win rate as underdog (47‑58)
• 6‑4 ATS last 10 games
• Over in 6 of last 10 games

St. Louis Cardinals

• 51.6% win rate as favorite (32‑30)
• 4‑6 ATS last 10 games
• Over in 6 of last 10 games

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• Morales’ elite early‑season form vs. STL’s recent offensive slump (.217 last 10)
• Cardinals’ home‑field edge and bullpen depth
• Warm, humid weather slightly favoring hitters
• Both teams’ tendency to hit the Over recently