Athletics @ St. Louis Cardinals Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/1/2025 2:15 PM EDT

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

Athletics @ St. Louis Cardinals Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: St. Louis Cardinals -150 (ESPN BET), Athletics +135 (Caesars)
Best Spread Odds: St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 (+150) (FOX Sports), Athletics +1.5 (-167) (DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, RiversCasino, BallyBet)
Best Total Odds: Over 7.5 (-102) (BetMGM), Under 7.5 (-106) (FanDuel)

Game Info

Date: September 1, 2025
Time: 2:15 PM EDT
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
TV: -

Athletics @ St. Louis Cardinals Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals (68-70) are set to host the Oakland Athletics (63-75) in the opening game of their series at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals, currently 4th in the NL Central, hold a 37-32 home record. They are coming off a 4-7 road defeat by the Reds, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Their offense averages 4.5 runs per game with a .247 batting average, while their pitching staff holds a 4.27 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Key offensive contributors include Willson Contreras, who leads the team with 20 home runs and 74 RBI, and Alec Burleson, who has a .286 batting average and 123 hits, though he is currently dealing with right wrist inflammation. The Cardinals will send right-hander Sonny Gray to the mound, who boasts a 12-7 record with a 4.19 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, including an even better 3.57 home ERA. The Cardinals' bullpen ranks 6th in the league in ERA.

The Athletics, sitting in last place in the AL West, have a 34-35 road record. They enter this matchup on a three-game losing streak, most recently falling 6-9 to the Rangers. Oakland's offense averages 4.4 runs per game with a .253 batting average and ranks 3rd in slugging percentage (.431). Brent Rooker leads the team with 27 home runs and 79 RBI, while Shea Langeliers has a team-high 29 home runs, and Jacob Wilson is the team's best hitter with a .313 batting average. Rookie right-hander Luis Morales is the projected starter for the Athletics, holding an impressive 2-0 record with a 1.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, having allowed just two earned runs over 20.2 innings in his four starts this season. The Athletics' pitching staff has a 4.83 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

Both teams are dealing with several injuries. For the Athletics, Luis Severino, Jack Perkins, Luis Medina, Grant Holman, Ben Bowden, and José Leclerc are on the 15-Day or 60-Day IL. Nick Kurtz, Denzel Clarke, and Max Muncy are also sidelined. The Cardinals are without Jacob Lopez, Joey Estes, John King, Yohel Pozo, Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Arenado, in addition to Alec Burleson.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Recent head-to-head history between the Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals shows a competitive series. The Cardinals hold a 4-2 record in their last six meetings against the Athletics. However, the Athletics had won their four meetings prior to that stretch. In their last four matchups played in St. Louis, both teams are tied with two wins apiece. The most recent encounter on April 17, 2024, saw Oakland secure a 6-3 victory. Over the recent period, the Cardinals have claimed four wins (two at home), while the Athletics have secured six victories (three on the road). Historically, the Cardinals average 3 runs per game in these matchups, while the Athletics average 4.5 runs. The 'Under' has been a prevalent trend, hitting in four of their last five meetings.

Pick: Under 7.5 Total Runs

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This matchup features two starting pitchers who have shown strong form. Sonny Gray has been excellent for the Cardinals, especially at home with a 3.57 ERA, and the Cardinals' bullpen ranks 6th in the league. Luis Morales, the Athletics' rookie, has been nearly unhittable in his limited starts, allowing just two earned runs across 20.2 innings. While both offenses have shown flashes, the combination of strong starting pitching and Busch Stadium's tendency to suppress home runs (park factor of 89 for HRs) suggests that runs will be at a premium. Despite recent 'Over' trends for both teams individually, the pitching matchup and park factors lean heavily towards a lower-scoring affair. Therefore, the Under 7.5 total runs is the preferred pick.

Top Player Prop Picks

Willson Contreras Over 0.5 Hits

Willson Contreras is a vital part of the Cardinals' offense, leading the team with 20 home runs and 74 RBI this season. As a consistent veteran bat, he is expected to contribute offensively. While there is no specific historical data available for Contreras against Athletics' starter Luis Morales, his overall season-long production and importance to the Cardinals' lineup make him a strong candidate to record at least one hit in this game. The odds for this prop are -205.

Jacob Wilson Over 1.5 Hits

Jacob Wilson stands out as the Athletics' best hitter this season, boasting an impressive .313 batting average. His consistent ability to get on base and collect hits makes the Over 1.5 hits prop an intriguing option, despite the higher line. Although there is no specific historical data available for Wilson against Cardinals' starter Sonny Gray, his strong overall season performance indicates he is capable of multi-hit games. The odds for this prop are +190.

Lars Nootbaar Over 0.5 Hits

Lars Nootbaar is a regular presence in the Cardinals' lineup and is known for providing energy and contributing offensively. While specific historical data against Athletics' starter Luis Morales is not available, Nootbaar's consistent role and general offensive capabilities make him a reasonable pick to record at least one hit in this contest. The odds for this prop are -190.