MLB Game Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (57-58) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (66-48)

Game Overview

• Time: 4:10 PM ET / 1:10 PM PT
• Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Broadcast: MLB Network, SportsNet LA, Bally Sports Midwest, Fubo (regional restrictions)
  This is the rubber match of a three-game series between two National League contenders. The Dodgers are looking to build on Tuesday’s 12–6 win, while the Cardinals aim to bounce back and take the season series lead.

Pitching Matchup

• Shohei Ohtani makes his 8th start of the season, boasting a 2.40 ERA and 10.2 K/9. He’s yet to record a quality start but has held opponents scoreless in four outings.
• Matthew Liberatore has been steady for St. Louis, with a sub-4.00 ERA and solid command. He’s allowed just 1 HR over his last 4 starts and has a 3.12 ERA in day games.

Team Performance Snapshot
Los Angeles Dodgers

• Record: 66–48 (1st in NL West)
• Home Record: 36–22
• Batting Average: .253 (7th in MLB)
• Slugging %: .437 (3rd)
• Home Runs: 165 (2nd)
• Runs Scored: 578 (3rd)
• Team ERA: 3.62 (5th in NL)
  
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Record: 57–58 (4th in NL Central)
• Road Record: 25–34
• Batting Average: .249 (15th in MLB)
• Slugging %: .387 (22nd)
• Home Runs: 109 (23rd)
• Runs Scored: 494 (16th)
• Team ERA: 4.18 (10th in NL)

Players to Watch
Los Angeles Dodgers

• Shohei Ohtani: .274 AVG, 38 HR, 7 triples, 14 doubles
• Freddie Freeman: .305 AVG, 2 HR, 17-for-42 in last 10 games
• Max Muncy: 4-for-5 with 2 HR and 4 RBIs Tuesday night
• Teoscar Hernández: 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 4-for-5 in Tuesday’s win
  
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Ivan Herrera: 11-for-35 with a double, HR, and 2 RBIs in last 10 games
• Brendan Donovan: .281 AVG, 9 HR, 42 RBIs
• Nolan Gorman: 2-run HR Tuesday, 22 HR on the season

Betting Trends

• Dodgers ATS: 48–65
• Cardinals ATS: 60–53
• Dodgers are 59.8% winners when favored
• Cardinals are 1–8 when listed as +150 or longer
• Over 8 runs has hit in 54 of Dodgers’ 113 games

Injury Report
Los Angeles Dodgers

• Tommy Edman (ankle), Max Muncy (knee), Kike Hernández (elbow) – IL
• Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin, Evan Phillips – 60-day IL
• Kirby Yates, Hyeseong Kim, Tanner Scott – 15-day IL
  
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Nolan Arenado (shoulder), John King (oblique), Zack Thompson (lat) – IL
• Brendan Donovan – day-to-day (personal)

Final Thoughts
The Cardinals vs. Dodgers matchup at Dodger Stadium features star power, playoff implications, and a marquee pitching appearance from Shohei Ohtani. With the Dodgers’ offense clicking and Ohtani’s arm heating up, Los Angeles is well-positioned to take the series. The Cardinals will need a strong outing from Liberatore and timely hitting to pull off the upset.