Cleveland Guardians vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions June 28th 2025

Cleveland Guardians vs St. Louis Cardinals June 28th 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals are set to play against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The game is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 4:10 PM. It will be an afternoon game with a warm day, light breeze, and light rain expected.

The Cardinals have a season record of 45-38 and are 3 games back in the NL Central. Their road record stands at 19-21. The Guardians have a 40-40 record and are 9 games back in the AL Central, with a home record of 20-18. Miles Mikolas will start for the Cardinals, while Slade Cecconi will pitch for the Guardians.

Cardinals vs Guardians Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
• Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cardinals +102, Guardians -121

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals have momentum on their side after a 5-0 victory against the Cleveland Guardians. Sonny Gray was outstanding on the mound, pitching a complete game with 11 strikeouts. Alec Burleson and Pedro Pagés contributed home runs, showcasing the team’s power at the plate.

The Cardinals’ batting lineup has been effective this season, with a team batting average of .253, ranking 6th in the league. Their ability to hit doubles, with 141 so far, ranks 5th, providing them with scoring opportunities. With players like Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson hitting .300, the lineup is a threat to any opposing pitcher.

On the mound, Miles Mikolas will start, bringing experience with a 4.31 ERA. The Cardinals’ pitching staff has been effective at limiting home runs, ranking 3rd in the league. This ability to control the long ball can be vital against a team like the Guardians.

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are looking to bounce back after a tough 0-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. In that game, Luis L. Ortiz pitched seven innings, allowing four runs and striking out five. The Guardians managed only one hit, with Nolan Jones getting the lone single.

Despite recent losses, the Guardians have shown they can win with solid pitching. Slade Cecconi will take the mound with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.29. He pitched a strong game against the Athletics on June 22, going seven innings and not allowing any runs.

Offensively, José Ramírez is a key player for the Guardians. He has a batting average of .317 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs. His performance can spark the team, especially against a pitcher like Miles Mikolas, who has a 4.31 ERA this season.

The Lean

The Cardinals are the underdog with a moneyline of +102, while the Guardians are favored at -121. My model projects the Cardinals to win with a score of 5-4. The Cardinals have a stronger batting average and on-base percentage, which may give them an edge in this game. I recommend taking the Cardinals on the moneyline.

The over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. My model projects a total score of 9 runs, suggesting the game will go over. Both teams have mid-tier pitching, and the Cardinals’ hitting stats indicate potential for scoring. I recommend betting on the over 8.5 runs.

Join the Sharp MLB Society

Don’t watch—win with us.

Join Now!

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals Look to Shut Down Guardians’ Skid

While the personal bond between St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray and Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt runs deep, it was all business on the field Friday night—and Gray dominated. On Saturday, the spotlight shifts to Miles Mikolas, who looks to build off that momentum and hand the Cleveland Guardians a third straight shutout loss.

Mikolas (4-5, 4.31 ERA) enters with confidence, holding a 1-1 record and a stingy 2.08 ERA in two career starts against Cleveland. He’ll be opposed by Slade Cecconi (3-3, 3.38 ERA), who makes his first career appearance against the Cardinals.

Find your edge with expert MLB betting predictions and premium game previews to boost your confidence this weekend.

Friday night was all about Gray. He nearly threw a perfect game, allowing just one hit over nine innings while fanning 11 Guardians batters in a crisp 89-pitch performance. His lone blemish was a two-strike single by Nolan Jones in the fifth inning.

“Vogty and I have so many memories together in this game… I mean, we babysat each other’s kids.”
— Sonny Gray

Cleveland’s offense continues to sputter. After scoring just once over their past two games and committing six errors during that span, frustrations boiled over in the form of a players-only meeting following Friday’s shutout.

“We’re not having a lot of fun right now… Maybe we’re doing too much, instead of staying within ourselves.”
— Daniel Schneemann

Their challenges are compounded by the likely absence of All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez, who is still nursing a bruised right arm from a hit-by-pitch incident against Toronto.

Meanwhile, Vogt remains vocal about the team’s accountability and wasn’t shy in his criticism of Toronto’s retaliation tactics, which led to Ramirez’s injury.

Cardinals Aim to Capitalize on Slumping Guardians

With Cleveland sitting at an even 40-40 and struggling in the field and at the plate, Saturday presents a golden opportunity for Mikolas and the Cardinals to stay on the front foot. Mikolas has shown flashes of brilliance this season and will look to extend the Guardians’ scoreless drought.

Cecconi will need to be sharp for Cleveland to stop the bleeding. The 24-year-old has quietly impressed with his 3.38 ERA this season and should benefit from facing a St. Louis lineup still adapting to life without Nolan Arenado.

As the Guardians seek answers and composure, bettors and fans alike should monitor these matchups closely. With one side trending up and the other visibly frustrated, this game offers a prime spot for sharp MLB picks and betting insights.

Need help navigating today’s MLB odds? Tap into our expert betting guide, sharp analysis, and daily handicapping tools to stay a step ahead.