Carson Williams Set for Rays Debut as Tampa Bay Seeks Spark vs. Cardinals

Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals August 22nd 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday night. The Cardinals hold a record of 64-65 and are ranked fourth in the NL Central. They are coming off a win and have gone 4-6 in their last ten games.

The Rays, with a record of 61-67, also sit in fourth place, but in the AL East. They are currently on a four-game losing streak and have the same 4-6 record in their last ten games. The starting pitchers for the game are Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals and Adrian Houser for the Rays. The weather forecast predicts light rain with a very hot day and a light breeze.

Cardinals vs Rays Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Betting Odds: Cardinals Moneyline +112, Rays Moneyline -131, Cardinals Runline +1.5 (-185), Rays Runline -1.5 (+154), Total Over 9.0 (-106), Total Under 9.0 (-115)

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals recently secured a 7-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbaar were key players, contributing with home runs and multiple hits. Sonny Gray pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out six batters.

The Cardinals have a solid batting lineup, with a team batting average of .250, ranking 8th in the league. They also have 217 doubles, placing them 6th in the league. These stats show their ability to consistently get on base and drive in runs, giving them a good chance to win.

Key players like Willson Contreras and Alec Burleson have been consistent this season. Contreras leads the team with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs, while Burleson has a batting average of .285. With these players in form, the Cardinals have the potential to challenge any opponent.

The Rays Can Win If…

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a 7-4 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the loss, Yandy Díaz had a strong performance, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Chandler Simpson also contributed with two hits and three runs, showing that the Rays’ lineup can produce runs.

The Rays have a solid chance to win with Adrian Houser on the mound. Houser has a 2.67 ERA this season, ranking him among the top pitchers. His ability to limit runs can give the Rays the edge they need to secure a victory.

Offensively, the Rays are strong in stolen bases, leading the league with 163. This speed on the bases can create scoring opportunities. With key hitters like Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, who have combined for 56 home runs, the Rays have the power to back up their speed and pitching.

The Lean

The Rays have a moneyline of -131, making them the favorites against the Cardinals, who are at +112. The Rays have a better pitching staff, ranking 8th in batting average against, compared to the Cardinals’ 18th. My model projects the Rays to win with a score of 5-4, making the Rays a solid pick for the moneyline.

The total for the game is set at 9.0, with the over at -106 and the under at -115. Both teams have shown moderate offensive capabilities, with the Rays ranking 16th in slugging percentage and the Cardinals at 22nd. My model projects a total score of 9, so taking the under 9.0 seems like a reasonable choice given the pitching strengths.

Carson Williams Brings New Energy to Slumping Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are looking for answers after dropping their fourth straight game Thursday night in a 7-4 loss to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. The loss continued a downward trend, with the team winning just four of its last 12 games. While Adrian Houser made his home debut on the mound, much of the attention shifted to the arrival of shortstop prospect Carson Williams.

Williams, one of the Rays’ most highly touted farmhands, joined the team from Triple-A Durham just after the game began. He didn’t see any action Thursday, but with Tampa Bay’s infield depth thinning, his MLB debut may come as soon as Friday.

Opening at Shortstop Presents Golden Opportunity

Injuries have left the shortstop position wide open. Taylor Walls is out with a groin strain, and Ha-Seong Kim returned to the injured list Thursday with lower back inflammation. That leaves rookie Tristan Gray as the only player standing between Williams and a spot in the starting lineup.

Williams, 22, has already built a strong résumé in the minors with three consecutive 20-homer, 20-steal seasons. Though his .213 batting average in 111 games this season for Durham isn’t eye-popping, his .318 OBP, .447 slugging percentage, 23 home runs, and 22 stolen bases speak to his high ceiling.

Outfielder Chandler Simpson, who has played alongside Williams since 2023, didn’t hold back in his praise: “At his best, he could be an MVP, All-Star-caliber player. He’s got all the tools.”

For fans and bettors looking to capitalize on emerging talents like Williams, the MLB expert betting guide provides valuable scouting and betting angles.

Houser Struggles, Cardinals Capitalize Early

Adrian Houser, acquired by the Rays earlier this season, took the mound with hopes of steadying the rotation. Instead, the right-hander surrendered five runs in the second inning and now sits at 0-2 with a 5.17 ERA over his last three starts. In 17 career appearances against the Cardinals, he has a 3.62 ERA and a 5-7 record.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, have found a way to win three of their last four games on a six-game road trip that began in Miami. Their offensive surge was enough to secure a series-opening victory despite some of their own roster challenges.

Track these recent trends and more in the latest MLB game results

Nolan Arenado Progresses in Rehab

Though he hasn’t played since earlier this month, eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado continues his rehab work in Florida. The 34-year-old third baseman, who is nursing a strained right shoulder, has been fielding ground balls, running, and recently added light hitting into his regimen.

While his presence in Miami didn’t translate to on-field contributions, manager Oliver Marmol was pleased to have him nearby: “Having him around is always a good thing. If it’s two days down here, we’ll take it.”

Arenado has been battling one of the worst seasons of his career, slashing .235/.660 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs over 96 games. His return would be a welcome boost for a Cardinals squad seeking more veteran leadership.

Mikolas Takes the Ball for Cardinals in Game 2

The middle game of the series will feature right-hander Miles Mikolas (6-9, 4.99 ERA), making his 25th start of the season. Mikolas, a native of Jupiter, Florida, has struggled mightily in August, going 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA over three starts. He’s allowed 10 earned runs and 15 hits in 14 2/3 innings this month.

Mikolas is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay, and will look to turn things around on Friday. For a full breakdown of upcoming matchups, check out the MLB previews section

Rays Need a Spark

Whether that spark comes from Carson Williams’ debut or a bounce-back pitching performance, Tampa Bay needs it fast. Falling further behind in the standings with inconsistent play on both sides of the ball could prove costly in a tight playoff race.

For fans placing wagers on this series or future matchups, get the best MLB picks from top handicappers or browse the leaderboard for expert performance to find trusted advice.

For exclusive picks and advanced betting options, visit the premium picks section.

Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2025