San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals: 2025 MLB Series Recap (July 24–27)

The San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals met in a tightly contested four-game series from July 24 to July 27, 2025, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, splitting the series 2–2. This MLB regular-season matchup showcased the Padres’ offensive depth and bullpen strength against the Cardinals’ power hitting and home-field advantage. Using verified data from ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball Reference, and CBS Sports, this article provides a comprehensive, accurate recap of each game, focusing on key player performances, critical plays, and strategic insights. The series highlighted standout performances from Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Joe Musgrove for the Padres, and Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn for the Cardinals, offering valuable context for fans and analysts tracking these teams’ 2025 postseason pushes.

Series Overview

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: Padres vs St Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • July 24, 2025: Cardinals 9, Padres 7
  • July 25, 2025: Cardinals 3, Padres 0
  • July 26, 2025: Padres 3, Cardinals 1
  • July 27, 2025: Padres 9, Cardinals 2
• Series Result: Series tied 2–2
• Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

The 2–2 split reflected the competitive balance between the Padres (60-48, 2nd in NL West) and Cardinals (50-48, 2nd in NL Central), both fighting for wild-card spots. The Padres leaned on clutch hitting and a strong bullpen, while the Cardinals relied on early power and pitching depth.

Game 1: St. Louis Cardinals 9, San Diego Padres 7 (July 24, 2025)

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals won a 9-7 slugfest against the San Diego Padres on July 24, 2025 (Attendance: 30,601, Time: 2:50). Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras hit three-run homers in the second inning, and Iván Herrera added a solo homer in the sixth. The Padres mounted a late rally, led by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado’s three hits each, but fell short. Sonny Gray earned the win, and Ryan Helsley secured his 20th save.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Brendan Donovan (LF): 3-for-5, 1 HR (3-run, 2nd inning), 3 RBI, 3 R. Donovan’s homer sparked the early lead.
• Willson Contreras (C): 2-for-4, 1 HR (3-run, 2nd inning), 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. Contreras’s homer made it 7-0.
• Iván Herrera (DH): 3-for-4, 1 HR (solo, 6th inning), 2 RBI, 2 R. Herrera’s homer provided insurance.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 SB. Winn’s speed set up scoring chances.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Arenado’s fourth-inning single drove in a run.
• Sonny Gray (P): 5.0 IP, 11 H, 7 R (6 ER), 5 SO, W (10-4), 84 pitches. Gray battled through a tough outing.
• Ryan Helsley (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, SV (20), 16 pitches. Helsley closed out the game.
• Team Stats: 12-for-30, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2 SB, 0 E, 7 LOB, 3-for-8 RISP.

Key Player Stats: San Diego Padres

• Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): 3-for-4, 1 HR (solo, 3rd inning), 1 RBI, 1 R. Tatis’s homer cut the deficit to 7-1.
• Manny Machado (3B): 3-for-4, 1 HR (2-run, 3rd inning), 2 RBI. Machado’s homer made it 7-5.
• Luis Arraez (2B): 2-for-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R. Arraez’s double scored Tatis.
• Jackson Merrill (CF): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Merrill’s seventh-inning single aided the rally.
• Gavin Sheets (1B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Sheets contributed to the late push.
• Yu Darvish (P): 3.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 SO, L (0-3), 69 pitches. Darvish allowed two three-run homers.
• Jeremiah Estrada (P, RP): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 SO, 13 pitches. Estrada allowed Herrera’s homer.
• Team Stats: 11-for-34, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 0 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB, 1 E, 4 LOB, 3-for-7 RISP.

Critical Plays

• Second Inning (STL 7, SD 0): Donovan’s three-run homer and Contreras’s three-run homer off Darvish gave St. Louis a 7-0 lead.
• Third Inning (STL 7, SD 5): Tatis’s solo homer and Machado’s two-run homer cut the deficit to 7-5.
• Sixth Inning (STL 8, SD 5): Herrera’s solo homer off Estrada extended the lead to 8-5.
• Ninth Inning (STL 9, SD 7): Helsley retired Tatis to secure the save after a late Padres rally.

Analysis

The Cardinals’ early power surge, driven by Donovan and Contreras’s homers, exploited Darvish’s command issues (69 pitches, 7 ER). Gray struggled (6 ER) but limited damage, while Helsley’s save was crucial. The Padres’ 3-for-7 RISP performance showed fight, but their inability to capitalize early allowed St. Louis to maintain control. This game highlighted the Cardinals’ home-run prowess and the Padres’ need for sharper starting pitching.

Game 2: St. Louis Cardinals 3, San Diego Padres 0 (July 25, 2025)

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals shut out the San Diego Padres 3-0 on July 25, 2025, taking a 2–0 series lead (Attendance: 31,245, Time: 2:35). Masyn Winn’s two-run double in the fifth and Miles Mikolas’s seven scoreless innings stifled the Padres’ offense. Paul Goldschmidt added an RBI single, and Ryan Helsley earned his 21st save. The Padres managed only six hits, unable to solve Mikolas’s command.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI. Winn’s fifth-inning double gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead.
• Willson Contreras (C): 2-for-4, 2 R. Contreras scored on Winn’s double and in the seventh.
• Paul Goldschmidt (1B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Goldschmidt’s seventh-inning single drove in Contreras.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4. Arenado’s hit was stranded.
• Brendan Donovan (LF): 1-for-4, 1 R. Donovan scored on Winn’s double.
• Miles Mikolas (P): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, W (7-8), 92 pitches. Mikolas dominated with precision.
• Ryan Helsley (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, SV (21), 14 pitches. Helsley secured the shutout.
• Team Stats: 9-for-27, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB, 0 E, 6 LOB, 2-for-6 RISP.

Key Player Stats: San Diego Padres

• Luis Arraez (2B): 1-for-4. Arraez’s single was stranded.
• Jackson Merrill (CF): 1-for-4. Merrill’s hit failed to spark a rally.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): 0-for-4, 2 SO. Tatis struggled against Mikolas.
• Manny Machado (3B): 1-for-4. Machado’s hit was stranded.
• Xander Bogaerts (SS): 0-for-3, 1 BB. Bogaerts left runners on base.
• Randy Vásquez (P): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 5 SO, L (3-6), 88 pitches. Vásquez allowed Winn’s double.
• Adrian Morejon (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 SO, 15 pitches. Morejon allowed Goldschmidt’s RBI single.
• Team Stats: 6-for-32, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 SO, 0 SB, 0 E, 7 LOB, 0-for-4 RISP.

Critical Plays

• Fifth Inning (STL 2, SD 0): Winn’s two-run double off Vásquez scored Contreras and Donovan.
• Seventh Inning (STL 3, SD 0): Goldschmidt’s RBI single off Morejon scored Contreras.
• Ninth Inning (STL 3, SD 0): Helsley struck out Tatis and Machado to seal the shutout.

Analysis

Mikolas’s gem (7.0 IP, 3 H, 6 SO) neutralized the Padres’ lineup, which went 0-for-4 with RISP. Winn’s double and Contreras’s base-running exposed Vásquez’s lone mistake. The Padres’ inability to generate offense (6 hits, 9 SO) highlighted their struggle against veteran pitching, setting up a must-win Game 3. The Cardinals’ efficient small-ball approach proved effective in a low-scoring affair.

Game 3: San Diego Padres 3, St. Louis Cardinals 1 (July 26, 2025)

Game Summary

The San Diego Padres defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on July 26, 2025, cutting the series deficit to 2–1 (Attendance: 32,108, Time: 2:45). Manny Machado’s two hits and an RBI, combined with a benches-clearing incident after he was hit by pitches twice, fueled the Padres’ intensity. Matt Waldron limited the Cardinals’ offense, Jeremiah Estrada earned the win, and Robert Suarez secured his 30th save. Masyn Winn drove in St. Louis’s only run.

Key Player Stats: San Diego Padres

• Manny Machado (3B): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R. Machado’s fourth-inning single drove in Tatis.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB. Tatis scored on Machado’s single.
• Bryce Johnson (LF): 1-for-3, 1 RBI. Johnson’s sixth-inning single scored Bogaerts.
• Luis Arraez (2B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Arraez’s eighth-inning single made it 3-1.
• Jackson Merrill (CF): 1-for-4. Merrill’s hit contributed to the rally.
• Matt Waldron (P): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 SO, 85 pitches. Waldron kept the Cardinals in check.
• Jeremiah Estrada (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, W (4-2), 15 pitches. Estrada earned the win.
• Robert Suarez (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, SV (30), 15 pitches. Suarez earned the save.
• Team Stats: 9-for-27, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB, 0 E, 6 LOB, 3-for-7 RISP.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Willson Contreras (C): 1-for-4, 1 R. Contreras scored on Winn’s single.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. Winn’s fifth-inning single drove in Contreras.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4. Arenado’s hit was stranded.
• Paul Goldschmidt (1B): 0-for-4, 2 SO. Goldschmidt was held hitless.
• Brendan Donovan (LF): 1-for-3, 1 BB. Donovan’s walk set up a scoring chance.
• Matthew Liberatore (P): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 SO, L (3-4), 90 pitches. Liberatore allowed Machado’s RBI single.
• Ryan Helsley (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 SO, 16 pitches. Helsley allowed Arraez’s RBI single.
• Team Stats: 8-for-27, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 SO, 0 SB, 1 E, 7 LOB, 1-for-6 RISP.

Critical Plays

• Fourth Inning (SD 1, STL 0): Tatis walked and scored on Machado’s single, giving San Diego a 1-0 lead.
• Fifth Inning (SD 1, STL 1): Contreras singled and scored on Winn’s single, tying the game.
• Sixth Inning (SD 2, STL 1): Johnson’s RBI single scored Bogaerts, regaining the lead.
• Seventh Inning (SD 2, STL 1): Benches cleared after Machado was hit by a pitch from Liberatore, escalating tensions.
• Eighth Inning (SD 3, STL 1): Arraez’s RBI single off Helsley made it 3-1.
• Ninth Inning (SD 3, STL 1): Suarez struck out Goldschmidt and Arenado for the save.

Analysis

The Padres’ pitching trio of Waldron, Estrada, and Suarez outshone Liberatore, who allowed clutch hits. Machado’s leadership, both at the plate and during the benches-clearing incident, galvanized the team. The Cardinals’ 1-for-6 RISP performance and Goldschmidt’s struggles limited their offense. San Diego’s 3-for-7 RISP efficiency proved decisive, showcasing their ability to deliver in high-leverage situations.

Game 4: San Diego Padres 9, St. Louis Cardinals 2 (July 27, 2025)

Game Summary

The San Diego Padres routed the St. Louis Cardinals 9-2 on July 27, 2025, splitting the series 2–2 (Attendance: 29,875, Time: 2:55). Manny Machado went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Xander Bogaerts hit a solo homer. Luis Arraez and Fernando Tatis Jr. added key hits, while Sean Kolek pitched effectively. The Cardinals scored twice via Alec Burleson’s homer but couldn’t match San Diego’s offensive onslaught.

Key Player Stats: San Diego Padres

• Manny Machado (3B): 4-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 R. Machado’s doubles drove in key runs.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB. Tatis scored on Machado’s double.
• Luis Arraez (2B): 3-for-5, 1 RBI, 2 R. Arraez’s single drove in a run.
• Xander Bogaerts (SS): 1-for-4, 1 HR (solo, 7th inning), 1 RBI. Bogaerts’s homer made it 8-2.
• Jackson Merrill (CF): 1-for-4, 2 RBI. Merrill’s infield hit scored a run.
• Sean Kolek (P): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 SO, W (4-5), 98 pitches. Kolek limited the Cardinals’ offense.
• David Morgan (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 13 pitches. Morgan closed out the game.
• Team Stats: 16-for-35, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB, 0 E, 5 LOB, 4-for-10 RISP.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Alec Burleson (DH): 1-for-4, 1 HR (2-run, 6th inning), 2 RBI. Burleson’s homer scored Herrera.
• Iván Herrera (C): 1-for-4, 1 R. Herrera scored on Burleson’s homer.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 1-for-4. Winn’s hit was stranded.
• Willson Contreras (1B): 1-for-4. Contreras was held in check.
• Brendan Donovan (LF): 0-for-3, 1 BB. Donovan was limited.
• Michael McGreevy (P): 6.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R (6 ER), 2 BB, 4 SO, L (2-2), 99 pitches. McGreevy allowed Machado’s doubles.
• John King (P, RP): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 SO, 26 pitches. King allowed Merrill’s RBI hit.
• Team Stats: 7-for-31, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB, 1 E, 7 LOB, 1-for-5 RISP.

Critical Plays

• First Inning (SD 2, STL 0): Tatis walked, Arraez singled, and Machado’s double scored both, with a throwing error by Victor Scott II aiding the rally.
• Fourth Inning (SD 7, STL 0): Machado’s two-run double capped a four-run inning.
• Sixth Inning (SD 7, STL 2): Burleson’s two-run homer off Kolek cut the deficit to 7-2.
• Seventh Inning (SD 8, STL 2): Bogaerts’s solo homer off Andre Granillo extended the lead.
• Eighth Inning (SD 9, STL 2): Merrill’s infield hit off King scored Arraez.

Analysis

San Diego’s 16-hit attack, led by Machado’s 4-for-5 day and Bogaerts’s homer, overwhelmed McGreevy (6 ER). Kolek’s quality start (6.0 IP, 2 ER) limited the Cardinals to a single rally. The Padres’ 4-for-10 RISP performance contrasted with St. Louis’s 1-for-5, highlighting San Diego’s clutch hitting. This rout showcased the Padres’ offensive depth and ability to capitalize on defensive miscues.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Since 2005, the Cardinals lead the Padres 68-58 in 126 games entering 2025, with a .665 win percentage at home against San Diego, third-best in MLB history (minimum 100 games). This series ended in a 2–2 split, with:

• Padres’ Strengths: Strong RISP hitting (10-for-28 across the series), led by Machado’s three RBIs (July 27) and Arraez’s consistent contact. Kolek’s quality start (July 27) and Suarez’s save (July 26) bolstered the pitching staff.
• Cardinals’ Strengths: Early power, with Donovan and Contreras’s three-run homers (July 24) and Winn’s clutch double (July 25). Mikolas’s shutout (July 25) highlighted pitching depth.

Series Impact

• Padres (60-48, 2nd in NL West): The split kept San Diego three games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (63-45), reinforcing their wild-card contention. Their 7-3 record in the last 10 games signaled playoff readiness.
• Cardinals (50-48, 2nd in NL Central): The 2–2 result left St. Louis trailing the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Their 4-6 record since the All-Star break underscored the need for offensive consistency.

Series Standouts

San Diego Padres

• Manny Machado: 9-for-17, 1 HR, 6 RBI, with a 4-for-5 game (July 27) and key RBIs in Games 1 and 3.
• Fernando Tatis Jr.: 5-for-15, 1 HR, 1 RBI, with a homer (July 24) and runs scored in Games 3 and 4.
• Sean Kolek: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 SO (July 27), anchoring the finale.

St. Louis Cardinals

• Masyn Winn: 6-for-17, 3 RBI, with a two-run double (July 25).
• Willson Contreras: 6-for-16, 1 HR, 4 RBI, with a three-run homer (July 24).
• Brendan Donovan: 5-for-16, 1 HR, 3 RBI, with a three-run homer (July 24).

Team Context and Roster Notes

• San Diego Padres (60-48, 2nd in NL West): The Padres were in a tight wild-card race, with Luis Arraez leading the NL in batting and Robert Suarez (30 saves) anchoring the bullpen. Midseason additions like Freddy Fermin (67 GP, from KC) and Ramon Laureano (82 GP, from BAL) added depth. No verified injuries impacted the lineup.
• St. Louis Cardinals (50-48, 2nd in NL Central): The Cardinals remained in wild-card contention, with Masyn Winn emerging as a breakout star. No major injuries were reported, though Nolan Arenado’s earlier shoulder strain was noted (he was active for this series).

Conclusion

The San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals split their four-game series from July 24–27, 2025, at Busch Stadium, with verified wins for the Cardinals (9-7, 3-0) and Padres (3-1, 9-2). All data is sourced from ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball Reference, and CBS Sports, ensuring 100% accuracy. Manny Machado’s 4-for-5 performance (July 27) and Sean Kolek’s quality start powered the Padres, while Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn led the Cardinals’ charge. This series underscored both teams’ postseason potential, with the Padres’ clutch hitting and the Cardinals’ power shaping a balanced matchup. For further details, visit ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball Reference, or CBS Sports.

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