St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/20/2025 6:40 PM EDT

We have your St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins prop betting and game preview needs covered as the St. Louis Cardinals hit the road to face the Miami Marlins.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: St. Louis Cardinals +105 [ESPN BET]
Best Spread Odds: St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 -200 [ESPN BET]
Best Total Odds: Over 8.5 -104 [Fanduel]

Game Info

Date: 2025-08-20
Time: 6:40 PM EDT
Location: loanDepot park
TV: -

St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals (63-64) are set to face the Miami Marlins (59-67) in the final game of their three-game series at loanDepot park. The Cardinals have already secured the first two games of the series, winning 8-3 and 7-4, and are looking for a sweep. St. Louis has shown recent offensive prowess, scoring 6.0 runs per game on a .266 batting average over their last five contests, a significant factor in their current winning streak. Their pitching, however, has been less consistent, with a 5.40 ERA in the last five games.

The Miami Marlins are in a challenging phase, having won just two of their last ten games and only one of their last six. Their bullpen has been a particular area of concern, frequently making costly errors, and the team's ERA stands at a high 5.68 over the last 10 games. Miami's offense has also struggled, averaging only 3.6 runs per game on a .220 batting average in their last five outings.

On the mound, the Cardinals will send right-hander Andre Pallante (6-10, 5.04 ERA) to start. Pallante has had a tough stretch, allowing 10 runs over his last 6.2 innings across two starts. However, he previously held the Marlins scoreless through seven innings in a July 28, 2024, matchup. For the Marlins, Sandy Alcantara (6-11, 6.31 ERA) will take the mound. While Alcantara is a former Cy Young winner, his performance this season has regressed, and his team has won only 20% of his starts when favored on the moneyline. The Marlins' bullpen is also dealing with injuries, including Anthony Bender, which could further impact their late-game performance.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The head-to-head history between these two teams shows a competitive rivalry. In their most recent encounter on August 20, the Cardinals secured a 7-4 victory. Historically, the Marlins have 27 wins against the Cardinals, with 14 of those coming at home. The Cardinals, however, boast a more impressive overall record with 47 victories, including 24 on the road against Miami. Over the last 15 games between these two clubs, the St. Louis Cardinals hold a 10-5 straight-up record. While Miami has won four of the last six head-to-head matchups, the Cardinals' recent performance in this series suggests a shift in momentum. The average scoring efficiency also favors the Cardinals, who average 4.71 runs per game on the road compared to the Marlins' 4.27 runs per game at home.

Pick: St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline

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Despite being on the road, the St. Louis Cardinals present a compelling pick for this matchup. They have already won the first two games of this series, demonstrating strong momentum against a struggling Marlins team. The Cardinals have also performed well on the road recently, with a 4-1 straight-up record in their last five away games. While both starting pitchers, Andre Pallante and Sandy Alcantara, have shown inconsistencies this season, the Cardinals' offense has been hot, scoring 6.0 runs per game in their last five outings. Furthermore, the Cardinals' bullpen has been more reliable in the second half of the season compared to the Marlins' injury-depleted relief corps. Sharp betting insights also lean towards the Cardinals, with significant sharp money backing them on the spread, and NumberFire predicting a 51.3% chance of a Cardinals win. Given Miami's recent form (1-5 in their last six games, 2-8 in their last ten) and the Cardinals' current offensive surge, taking St. Louis at plus-money odds offers excellent value.

Top Player Prop Picks

Andre Pallante Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-120)

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Andre Pallante has struggled with his command and effectiveness in recent starts, posting a 6.46 ERA over his last five appearances. His career strikeout rate against the current Miami Marlins roster is notably low, with only 3 strikeouts in 21 plate appearances, translating to a 14.3% K-rate. This historical data, combined with his recent form, suggests he is unlikely to rack up a high number of strikeouts against this Marlins lineup.
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Willson Contreras Over 0.5 Hits (-205)

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Willson Contreras has a favorable historical matchup against Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara. In 7 career at-bats against Alcantara, Contreras has recorded 2 hits, resulting in a .286 batting average and a .429 slugging percentage. His .420 wOBA against Alcantara further highlights his success in this specific matchup, indicating he sees the ball well and makes solid contact.
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Alec Burleson Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105)

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Alec Burleson has been a key contributor to the Cardinals' recent offensive success, batting .288 overall. Against Sandy Alcantara, Burleson has a solid track record with 2 hits in 6 at-bats, including a .333 batting average and .333 slugging percentage. With the Cardinals' offense averaging 6.0 runs per game over their last five contests, and Burleson playing a significant role in their recent victories, he is well-positioned to exceed 1.5 total bases in this game.
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