New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals Match Series Analysis: 2025 MLB Season

The New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals squared off in an interleague series during the 2025 MLB regular season, producing high-scoring affairs and standout individual efforts amid playoff positioning battles. This article delivers a detailed examination of their three-game set from August 15-17, 2025, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, emphasizing player stats, game recaps, and series-wide insights, drawn from reliable sources. The Yankees dominated with a sweep, outscoring the Cardinals 24-15 across the series. Below, we break down each contest, spotlighting key contributions and pivotal plays.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: New York Yankees vs St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: August 15, 2025
  • Game 2: August 16, 2025
  • Game 3: August 17, 2025
• Series Result: Yankees swept the series 3–0

Series Overview: New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2025 MLB Season

The New York Yankees claimed a decisive 3-0 series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals from August 15-17, 2025, with final scores of 4-3, 12-8, and 8-4. Aaron Judge’s power surge and Ben Rice’s breakout performance propelled New York, while the Cardinals relied on Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn for sparks but faltered defensively and in relief pitching. The sweep marked the Yankees’ first at Busch Stadium in franchise history and highlighted their resilience despite injuries to players like Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger (who returned for Game 3). St. Louis, mired in a four-game skid entering the finale, dropped 4.5 games behind the New York Mets in the NL wild-card chase.

Game 1 (August 15, 2025): New York Yankees 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3

Game Summary

The Yankees kicked off the series with a 4-3 win on Friday night, thanks to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s early homer and Luis Gil’s strong start (5 1/3 IP, 1 ER). New York built a 4-0 lead in the third, but St. Louis clawed back with back-to-back doubles from Nootbaar and Winn in the sixth. Reliever Luke Weaver navigated a tense seventh, stranding two runners, while the Cardinals scored on Victor Scott II’s RBI double and a wild pitch to Pedro Pagés. Attendance: 31,169; Game time: 3:00.

Key Player Stats: New York Yankees

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B): 1-for-4, HR (21), 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 TB, 3:00 field time, +1 WPA. Chisholm’s two-out homer in the first off Andre Pallante set the tone.
• Jasson Domínguez (CF): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1.000 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.8 WPA. His two-out single in the third plated two runs.
• Aaron Judge (RF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1.000 OPS, 3:00 field time, +0.5 WPA. Judge drew key walks, including one to load bases in the third.
• Ben Rice (1B): 1-for-4, 2B (20), 1 RBI, 1 K, 0.500 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.3 WPA. Rice’s double in the third extended the lead to 4-0.
• Ryan McMahon (3B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 0.250 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.2 WPA. McMahon’s single in the third cashed in a run.
• Luis Gil (P): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 4.97 ERA, W (1-0). Gil escaped jams, allowing just one run on back-to-back doubles.
  Team Stats: .250 AVG (8/32), .333 OBP, .438 SLG, 4 R, 8 H, 1 E, 7 LOB, 4 DP; Pitching: 3.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 9 K, 2 BB. New York’s timely hitting and Gil’s command stifled St. Louis’ rally.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar (LF): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0.750 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.6 WPA. Nootbaar’s sixth-inning double chased Gil and plated the first run.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 0.750 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.5 WPA. Winn’s double followed Nootbaar’s to tie it at 2-2 momentarily.
• Victor Scott II (CF): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB, 0.500 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.4 WPA. Scott’s seventh-inning double off Camilo Doval cut the deficit to 4-3.
• Pedro Pagés (C): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 0.333 SLG, 3:00 field time, +0.2 WPA. Pagés scored on Weaver’s wild pitch in the seventh.
• Andre Pallante (P): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 4.80 ERA, L (6-10). Pallante fanned a season-high eight but surrendered Chisholm’s homer and the third-inning rally.
  Team Stats: .233 AVG (7/30), .302 OBP, .367 SLG, 3 R, 7 H, 0 E, 6 LOB, 1 DP; Pitching: 4.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 8 K, 4 BB. St. Louis’ late push fell short due to Weaver’s wild pitch and Doval’s resilience.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (NYY 1, STL 0): Chisholm’s two-out homer off Pallante gave New York an early edge.
• Top 3rd (NYY 4, STL 0): Domínguez’s single, Rice’s double, and McMahon’s hit ignited a three-run frame.
• Bottom 6th (NYY 4, STL 2): Nootbaar and Winn’s consecutive doubles chased Gil, narrowing the gap.
• Bottom 7th (NYY 4, STL 3): Scott’s double and Pagés’ score on a wild pitch brought St. Louis within one, but Weaver stranded runners.

Game 2 (August 16, 2025): New York Yankees 12, St. Louis Cardinals 8

Game Summary

New York erupted for a 12-8 thriller on Saturday, powered by Ben Rice’s career-high seven RBI, including a three-run homer, and Aaron Judge’s 39th homer. Despite missing Stanton (soreness) and Bellinger (illness), the Yankees racked up 15 hits. St. Louis rested Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras but mounted a comeback, only for New York’s bullpen to hold firm. Attendance: 33,800; Game time: 3:27.

Key Player Stats: New York Yankees

• Ben Rice (1B): 3-for-5, HR, 7 RBI, 2 R, 3B, 1 BB, 10 TB, 3:27 field time, +2.1 WPA. Rice tripled short of the cycle, with his homer tying a career high in RBI.
• Aaron Judge (RF): 2-for-4, HR (39), 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 TB, 3:27 field time, +1.5 WPA. Judge’s third-inning homer, his first multi-hit game post-All-Star break, cleared the right-field wall.
• Trent Grisham (CF): 4-for-5, 4 R, 1 RBI, 0.800 SLG, 3:27 field time, +1.2 WPA. Grisham’s four singles and four runs fueled the offense.
• Ryan McMahon (3B): 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 0.600 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.9 WPA. McMahon’s double and single drove in runs.
• Jasson Domínguez (CF): 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 0.600 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.7 WPA. Domínguez added multi-hit support.
  Team Stats: .429 AVG (15/35), .472 OBP, .771 SLG, 12 R, 15 H, 1 E, 5 LOB; Pitching: 4.50 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 7 K, 5 BB. The Yankees’ 23 points off Cardinals’ miscues and Judge’s power overwhelmed St. Louis.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar (LF): 3-for-5, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 K, 0.800 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.8 WPA. Nootbaar’s multi-hit night included key singles.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 0.600 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.6 WPA. Winn contributed to the rally with a double.
• Paul Goldschmidt (1B): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 0.750 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.5 WPA. Goldschmidt drove in a run against his former club.
• Victor Scott II (CF): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB, 0.500 SLG, 3:27 field time, +0.4 WPA. Scott swiped a bag in the comeback attempt.
  Team Stats: .314 AVG (11/35), .385 OBP, .514 SLG, 8 R, 11 H, 2 E, 7 LOB; Pitching: 12.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 6 K, 6 BB. Errors and walks plagued St. Louis, leading to 23 unearned runs allowed.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (NYY 2, STL 0): Judge’s RBI double opened scoring.
• Top 3rd (NYY 5, STL 0): Judge’s leadoff homer bounced into the bleachers.
• Bottom 4th (NYY 5, STL 3): Cardinals scored on errors and hits to trim the lead.
• Top 7th (NYY 10, STL 5): Rice’s three-run homer capped a five-run frame.

Game 3 (August 17, 2025): New York Yankees 8, St. Louis Cardinals 4

Game Summary

The Yankees completed the sweep with an 8-4 victory on Sunday, ignited by Cody Bellinger’s three RBI upon his return from illness and Paul Goldschmidt’s three hits vs. his ex-team. Will Warren allowed four runs in a shaky fourth but steadied, while Miles Mikolas surrendered three in the fourth. St. Louis tied it briefly on Yohel Pozo’s homer but unraveled with two errors by Thomas Saggese in the ninth. Attendance: 25,365; Game time: 3:12.

Key Player Stats: New York Yankees

• Cody Bellinger (1B): 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 1 R, SF, 0.750 SLG, 3:12 field time, +1.8 WPA. Bellinger’s sac fly tied it in the seventh; his ninth-inning grounder (E6) scored two.
• Paul Goldschmidt (DH): 3-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1.250 SLG, 3:12 field time, +1.4 WPA. Goldschmidt’s 110.8 mph double in the fourth nearly left the park.
• Jasson Domínguez (CF): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0.750 SLG, 3:12 field time, +1.0 WPA. Domínguez’s single sparked the fourth-inning rally.
• Ryan McMahon (3B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 0.500 SLG, 3:12 field time, +0.7 WPA. McMahon’s RBI single built the early lead.
• José Caballero (2B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB, 1 BB, 0.500 SLG, 3:12 field time, +0.6 WPA. Caballero scored thrice, swiping two bags.
• Will Warren (P): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 6.00 ERA, W (7-5). Warren rebounded after a 29-pitch fourth.
  Team Stats: .308 AVG (12/39), .375 OBP, .538 SLG, 8 R, 12 H, 0 E, 8 LOB; Pitching: 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 8 K, 3 BB. New York’s late surge exploited St. Louis’ errors.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Yohel Pozo (C): 1-for-4, HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 0.500 SLG, 3:12 field time, +0.5 WPA. Pozo’s sixth-inning homer gave a brief 4-3 lead.
• Thomas Saggese (2B): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 2 E, 0.500 SLG, 3:12 field time, -1.2 WPA. Saggese’s two errors in the ninth cost four unearned runs.
• Lars Nootbaar (LF): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 0.750 SLG, 3:12 field time, +0.4 WPA. Nootbaar added to the fourth-inning response.
• Miles Mikolas (P): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 5.40 ERA, L (6-9). Mikolas allowed four straight hits in the fourth.
  Team Stats: .250 AVG (9/36), .282 OBP, .389 SLG, 4 R, 9 H, 3 E, 6 LOB; Pitching: 8.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 6 K, 4 BB. Defensive miscues doomed St. Louis’ chances.

Critical Moments

• Top 4th (NYY 3, STL 0): Four straight hits, including Goldschmidt’s double, plated three.
• Bottom 4th (NYY 3, STL 2): Two unearned runs on Saggese’s double narrowed the gap.
• Bottom 6th (STL 4, NYY 3): Pozo’s leadoff homer off Doval flipped the lead.
• Top 9th (NYY 8, STL 4): Saggese’s errors and Bellinger’s grounder erupted for four runs.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Historically, the Yankees hold a 29-23 edge over the Cardinals in 52 meetings (regular season and playoffs). In 2025 interleague play, New York extended a three-game win streak, averaging 8.0 runs per game to St. Louis’ 5.0. The Yankees went 3-0 ATS and hit the over in all three (total points: 39, avg. 13.0).

Yankees’ Strengths:

• Offensive Depth: 39 hits and 12 HR across the series, with Judge (2 HR) and Rice (7 RBI) thriving.
• Clutch Hitting: .320 AVG with RISP (8-for-25).
• Bullpen Resilience: 2.25 ERA in relief appearances.

Cardinals’ Strengths:

• Early Fight: Scored in 8 of 9 innings, led by Nootbaar (.600 series AVG).
• Speed: 3 SB, but errors (6 total) negated momentum.
• Pitching Potential: Mikolas and Pallante combined for 10 IP, 7 ER, but walks (11) hurt.

Series Standouts

New York Yankees

• Aaron Judge: 5-for-11, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 1.077 OPS. First multi-hit game since All-Star break; homered vs. every MLB team.
• Ben Rice: 5-for-13, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 1 3B, 1.000 SLG. Tied career-high RBI in Game 2.
• Cody Bellinger: 2-for-4, 3 RBI in Game 3 return; series impact despite absence.

St. Louis Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar: 7-for-13, 3 RBI, 4 R, .846 OPS. Consistent multi-hit threat.
• Paul Goldschmidt: 5-for-12, 2 RBI, 1 2B vs. former team; standing ovation in Game 3.
• Masyn Winn: 4-for-13, 2 RBI, 2 2B. Back-to-back doubles sparked Game 1 rally.

Team Performance Context

New York Yankees (78-52, 1st AL East by August 17)

The Yankees maintained a four-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, bolstered by this sweep—their first since July vs. Seattle. Their offense (5.2 RPG) and pitching (3.45 team ERA) positioned them for a deep playoff run, though injuries to Stanton and Gerrit Cole (TJ surgery) tested depth.

St. Louis Cardinals (62-68, 4.5 GB NL Wild Card by August 17)

St. Louis fell to fourth in the NL Central, 4.5 games back of the Mets for the final wild card after a four-game losing streak. Their bats (4.5 RPG) showed promise, but a 4.85 bullpen ERA and injuries to Nolan Arenado (shoulder), Donovan (foot), and Contreras (foot) hampered efforts.

Injury and Roster Notes

New York Yankees: Stanton (lower body soreness, out Games 1-2), Bellinger (illness, returned Game 3), Cole (60-day IL, TJ recovery). No major issues post-series.

St. Louis Cardinals: Arenado (shoulder strain, IL), Donovan (foot/groin, rested), Contreras (foot contusion, rested). Liberatore (fatigue) available for next start.

Conclusion

The New York Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in their 2025 interleague series (4-3, 12-8, 8-4), blending power from Judge and Rice with timely hitting from Bellinger and Goldschmidt to outpace a gritty but error-prone St. Louis squad. This win streak underscores New York’s AL dominance and exposes the Cardinals’ wild-card vulnerabilities. For full box scores and highlights, check ESPN, MLB.com, FOX Sports, or CBS Sports.

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