Miami Marlins vs St. Louis Cardinals August 20th 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. The Cardinals have a record of 63-64 and are ranked fourth in the NL Central. They are on a two-game winning streak and have a 4-6 record in their last ten games. The Cardinals’ manager is Oliver Marmol, with Brant Brown as the hitting coach and Dusty Blake as the pitching coach.
The Miami Marlins hold a record of 59-67 and are third in the NL East. They are currently on a two-game losing streak and have a 2-8 record in their last ten games. Clayton McCullough manages the team, with Pedro Guerrero as the hitting coach and Daniel Moskos as the pitching coach. The game will start at 6:40 PM and will be broadcast on FDSFL.
Cardinals vs Marlins Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Miami Marlins
- Venue: loanDepot Park in Miami, FL
- Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
- Betting Odds: Cardinals Moneyline +104, Marlins Moneyline -122
The Cardinals Can Win If…
The St. Louis Cardinals head into their next game with momentum from a recent win against the Miami Marlins. They secured a 7-4 victory, with Thomas Saggese leading the charge by going 3-for-4 and scoring twice. Michael McGreevy pitched six innings, allowing four runs and striking out five, setting a solid foundation for the team.
The Cardinals’ batting lineup has shown consistency, with a .250 team batting average, ranking 7th in the league. They have also been effective in getting on base with a .318 on-base percentage, placing them 8th. Their ability to hit doubles, ranking 6th, adds to their offensive strength, making them a threat in any game.
Andre Pallante will be on the mound for the Cardinals, looking to improve his 6-10 record. Facing Sandy Alcantara, who has a higher ERA of 6.31, gives the Cardinals an edge. With key hitters like Alec Burleson and Willson Contreras in the lineup, the Cardinals have the potential to capitalize on pitching weaknesses and secure another win.
The Marlins Can Win If…
The Miami Marlins recently played against the St. Louis Cardinals at home, losing 7-4. Xavier Edwards had a solid performance, going 2-for-4 with two runs. Otto Lopez also contributed with two RBIs, showing that the team can produce runs even in tough games.
The Marlins have a strong batting average, ranking 6th in the league with a .251 average. They also excel in hitting doubles, ranking 7th with 211 doubles this season. Their ability to make contact and get on base will be key in their upcoming game.
Sandy Alcantara will be starting for the Marlins, and he has shown potential despite a challenging season. His recent performance against the Boston Red Sox was impressive, allowing just one run over six innings. With Alcantara on the mound, the Marlins have a chance to control the game and secure a win.
The Lean
The Marlins are favored with a moneyline of -122, while the Cardinals are at +104. The Marlins have a slightly better batting average and slugging percentage. Considering these factors, the Marlins are the pick to win. My model projects a score of Marlins 5, Cardinals 4.
The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs. Both teams have pitching ERAs in the lower half of the league, suggesting runs could be scored. My model predicts a combined score of 9 runs. Therefore, the recommendation is to take the over at 8.5 (-109).
Cardinals Eye Sweep as Nathan Church Steps Up
The St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of sweeping the Miami Marlins this Wednesday. But as the team pushes for that three-game win streak, all eyes are on rookie outfielder Nathan Church, who’s getting his chance to shine.
Nathan Church Steps Into the Spotlight
Church, just 25 years old, is stepping up in center field thanks to a left ankle injury that sidelined Victor Scott II. But make no mistake—this isn’t just a stopgap. Manager Oliver Marmol is confident in the rookie’s ability.
“He’s a good defender,” Marmol said. “He has no fear.”
Scouts agree. Church grades out with elite speed (70 on the 20–80 scale), and his arm and glove both sit at a strong 60. That athleticism has paid off across three minor league levels this year, where Church posted some impressive numbers:
Minor League Stats | Performance |
---|---|
Batting Average | .329 |
Doubles | 19 |
Home Runs | 13 |
RBIs | 50 |
Steals | 16 |
OPS | .911 |
Although he’s hit a cold spell (0-for-10) since his big-league debut, Church earned his first MLB RBI with a sacrifice bunt in Tuesday’s 7–4 win. Marmol remains optimistic: “I like his at-bats and overall approach.”
Roster Shuffle: Scott & Donovan on the IL
Victor Scott II isn’t the only Cardinal sidelined. Second baseman Brendan Donovan is also out with a groin strain. Known for his consistency at the plate, Donovan ranks third in team doubles (25) and fourth in OPS (.750).
With Donovan out, Thomas Saggese slid over to second base. Though his first few games were rough (2-for-16), he bounced back with a 3-for-4 performance on Tuesday, adding an RBI, two runs, and a stolen base.
UC Irvine Showdown: Pallante vs Alcantara
Wednesday’s game brings an interesting twist: both starting pitchers—Andre Pallante for St. Louis and Sandy Alcantara for Miami—hail from UC Irvine.
Pitcher | Record | ERA | Notable Stats |
---|---|---|---|
Andre Pallante | 6-10 | 5.04 | 7 shutout innings vs. Marlins |
Sandy Alcantara | 6-11 | 6.31 | Ex-Cy Young, post-surgery dip |
Pallante has had Miami’s number lately. In six appearances—including two starts—he’s posted a stellar 1.40 ERA against them. His last outing on July 28? A dominant seven-inning shutout win, where he allowed just one hit.
Alcantara, once a top arm for St. Louis, was part of the Marcell Ozuna trade back in 2017. Since then, he’s become a star with the Marlins, winning the 2022 NL Cy Young Award. But after Tommy John surgery last October, he’s struggled to find his rhythm in 2024.
Injury Update: Anthony Bender Done for the Season
Things aren’t looking much better in Miami’s bullpen. Setup man Anthony Bender is out for the season with a stress reaction in his right leg. His 2.16 ERA across 51 games was a career-best, and a much-needed anchor for the Marlins’ late innings.
“We’re going to miss Anthony,” said manager Clayton McCullough. “He put together a fantastic season.”
Around the League: Other MLB Team Spotlights
Curious about how other teams are performing? Here are a few more you can explore:
- Chicago Cubs: A classic franchise with a strong farm system.
- Houston Astros: Always a postseason threat.
- Boston Red Sox: Rebuilding fast and looking sharp.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Still the gold standard in the NL.
You can also view full MLB odds and scores or dig into our expert betting guide for more insight.