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Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals August 21st 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals will play against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Cardinals have a record of 63-65 and are ranked fourth in the NL Central. They have lost their last game and are 4-6 in their last ten games.
The Tampa Bay Rays hold a 61-66 record and are also fourth in their division, the AL East. They are currently on a three-game losing streak and have the same 4-6 record in their last ten games. The game is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:35 PM, with clear skies and a light breeze expected.
Cardinals vs Rays Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL
- Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Betting Odds:
- Cardinals Moneyline: -120
- Rays Moneyline: +102
- Cardinals Runline: -1.5 (+141)
- Rays Runline: +1.5 (-169)
- Total Over: 8.5 (-108)
- Total Under: 8.5 (-113)
The Cardinals Can Win If…
The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a recent game against the Miami Marlins where they lost 6-2. Despite the loss, Willson Contreras stood out with a home run, contributing to the team’s offense. Lars Nootbaar also provided support with two hits, showing consistency at the plate.
The Cardinals have a strong batting lineup, ranking 8th in batting average at .249. They also show strength in hitting doubles, ranking 6th with 215 doubles this season. These stats suggest that the Cardinals have the potential to generate runs and keep the pressure on their opponents.
On the mound, Sonny Gray will start for the Cardinals. With an ERA of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.19, Gray has the ability to control the game. His experience and ability to strike out batters will be key in keeping the opposing team’s offense in check.
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to bounce back after a close game against the New York Yankees, where they lost 6-4. Drew Rasmussen pitched six innings, allowing two runs and striking out six. Bob Seymour had a good game at the plate, hitting a home run and driving in two runs.
The Rays have strong players like Junior Caminero, who has hit 35 home runs this season. Yandy Díaz is another key player with a batting average of .279 and 20 home runs. The team leads the league in stolen bases with 162, which can help them gain extra bases and score runs.
Joe Boyle will be on the mound for the Rays with an ERA of 4.68. In their win against the San Francisco Giants on August 15th, the Rays showed they can score runs with 10 hits and a home run. Their ability to put pressure on the opposing pitcher could be a factor in their favor.
The Lean
The Cardinals are favored with a moneyline of -120 against the Rays at +102. The Cardinals have a higher batting average and rank better in doubles, which can be key in this game. My model projects the Cardinals to win with a score of 5-4, making them the pick to win straight up.
The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs. The Cardinals’ pitching has a higher ERA, and the Rays have given up more home runs. This suggests a potential for more scoring. My model projects a total of 9 runs, so the recommendation is to take the over at 8.5.
Stay Ahead of the Diamond
MLB Data & Insights
Rays, Cardinals Clash With Wild Card Hopes Hanging by a Thread
The St. Louis Cardinals head south to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a pivotal three-game interleague series beginning Thursday night at Tropicana Field — a rescheduled opener due to an NFL preseason conflict in Tampa.
With both teams teetering on the edge of playoff contention, this is more than just another August matchup — it’s a potential turning point in two seasons threatening to fade into irrelevance.
AL & NL Wild Card Standings
| AL Team | Record | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | 70-56 | — |
| New York Yankees | 69-57 | — |
| Boston Red Sox | 67-58 | 1.5 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 61-66 | 6.5 |
| NL Team | Record | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | 71-55 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 69-56 | 1.5 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 68-57 | 2.5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 63-65 | 5.0 |
Momentum Check
The Rays have dropped three straight and are 6.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. Wednesday’s 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Yankees marked a second straight blown ninth-inning rally. Rookie Hunter Feduccia came inches from delivering a walk-off homer, but his double off the center-field wall left Tampa short again.
“It’s amazing how many balls have gone out over two days, and that one didn’t,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “That’s unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are two games under .500 and five back in the NL Wild Card race after a 6-2 loss to Miami on Wednesday halted a chance to sweep the Marlins.
Organizational Tension in St. Louis
Change is looming for the Cardinals. Longtime exec John Mozeliak is expected to be succeeded by former Rays exec Chaim Bloom after the season, and manager Oliver Marmol’s future is under a microscope.
“If I’m supposed to have this seat, I’ll have it,” Marmol said. “If not, there’s not a person in the world who can keep me here.”
Thursday’s Probable Starters
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | Sonny Gray | 11-6 | 4.30 | 5-6, 4.07 ERA in 16 games vs. Rays |
| Rays | Joe Boyle | 1-2 | 4.68 | First career start vs. Cardinals |
Gray will look to bounce back from a rough outing against the Yankees, where he surrendered two homers and six earned runs over five innings. Boyle, meanwhile, gets the ball for Tampa in what will be his 10th appearance this season.
What’s at Stake?
With both teams trailing in the wild-card race and fewer than 40 games remaining, anything short of a sweep would be disappointing. The Cardinals and Rays each need to gain immediate ground or risk falling too far behind the pack.
For more sharp predictions, odds, and daily insights, don’t miss the full MLB Picks and Betting Guide.
