The St. Louis Cardinals (9-12) and Atlanta Braves (8-13) are set to open a three-game series on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Both teams are looking to gain momentum after inconsistent starts to the season.
Game Details
- Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
- Time: 7:15 PM ET
- Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta
- TV Broadcast: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports South
- Series Status: Game 1 of 3
Team Overview & Key Players
Atlanta Braves (8-13, 5th in NL East)
The Braves have struggled early in the season, ranking 18th in MLB with a .229 team batting average and 20th in slugging percentage (.379). Their pitching staff has been solid, ranking 11th in strikeouts per nine innings (8.8 K/9).
Key Players
- Marcell Ozuna (OF) – Leads the Braves with six home runs and 15 RBIs.
- Matt Olson (1B) – Batting .233 with three home runs and 13 RBIs.
- Spencer Schwellenbach (SP) – Set to start; holds a 1-1 record with a 2.55 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.
St. Louis Cardinals (9-12, 4th in NL Central)
The Cardinals have been strong offensively, ranking sixth in MLB with 99 runs scored and 10th in slugging percentage (.406). Their pitching staff has been inconsistent, but Erick Fedde has been a bright spot in the rotation.
Key Players
- Brendan Donovan (INF) – Batting .264 with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
- Willson Contreras (C) – Struggling early, hitting .169, but remains a key piece in the lineup.
- Erick Fedde (SP) – Set to start; holds a 1-2 record with a 3.43 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Game 1 Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | Last Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Schwellenbach | Braves | 1-1 | 2.55 | 4.2 IP, 6 ER vs. Blue Jays |
| Erick Fedde | Cardinals | 1-2 | 3.43 | 6.0 IP, 1 ER vs. Brewers |
Schwellenbach is looking to bounce back after a rough outing, while Fedde has been consistent in his last few starts.
Game Outlook & Predictions
- Braves’ Strategy: Expect Atlanta to rely on power hitting, with Ozuna and Olson leading the charge.
- Cardinals’ Adjustments: St. Louis must limit home runs and capitalize on scoring opportunities against Schwellenbach.
- X-Factor: Fedde’s ability to control Atlanta’s lineup could be the difference-maker.
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 8.5
Atlanta Braves – 192
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 20, 2025
