St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Guardians Match Series Analysis: 2025 MLB Season

The St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Guardians met in a three-game interleague series during the 2025 MLB regular season, featuring dominant pitching, timely power, and late-inning rallies that influenced their wild-card races. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the June 27-29, 2025, series at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio—their only matchup of the year—focusing on player stats, game summaries, and head-to-head analysis, sourced from verified outlets. The Cardinals swept the Guardians 3-0, outscoring them 21-6 to improve to 47-38, while Cleveland fell to 40-42, dropping two games behind Kansas City in the AL Central. Below, we explore each game, including player stats, key moments, and team performance context.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: St. Louis Cardinals vs Cleveland Guardians Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: June 27, 2025
  • Game 2: June 28, 2025
  • Game 3: June 29, 2025
• Series Result: Cardinals swept the series 3-0
  

Series Overview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 2025 MLB Season

The St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Guardians met for a three-game interleague series from June 27-29, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, with the Cardinals completing a sweep: June 27 (5-0 Cardinals), June 28 (9-6 Cardinals), and June 29 (7-0 Cardinals). The series showcased St. Louis’ offensive surge, including Alec Burleson and Pedro Pagés’ homers in Game 1 and Nolan Gorman’s three-run homer in Game 3, against Cleveland’s pitching woes. Below is a summary of the results:

• Game 1 (June 27, 2025): St. Louis Cardinals 5, Cleveland Guardians 0
• Game 2 (June 28, 2025): St. Louis Cardinals 9, Cleveland Guardians 6
• Game 3 (June 29, 2025): St. Louis Cardinals 7, Cleveland Guardians 0

The Cardinals outhit the Guardians 31-21 across the series, going 8-for-21 with runners in scoring position, while Cleveland managed 4-for-18.

Game 1: St. Louis Cardinals 5, Cleveland Guardians 0 (June 27, 2025)

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals shut out the Cleveland Guardians 5-0 on June 27, 2025, at Progressive Field. Sonny Gray pitched a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts for his first complete game since 2017. Alec Burleson hit a two-run homer in the first off Luis Ortiz (4-9), and Pedro Pagés added a three-run homer in the third. Cleveland’s Nolan Jones broke up the no-hitter with a single in the fifth. Attendance was 34,787, with the game lasting 2:11.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Alec Burleson (DH): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 K. Two-run homer in first off Ortiz.
• Pedro Pagés (C): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 0 K. Three-run homer in third off Ortiz.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 1-for-4, 1 single, 1 R, 0 K. Scored on Burleson’s homer.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 1 R, 0 K. Scored on Pagés’ homer.
• Brendan Donovan (2B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 0 K. Advanced runners in third.
• Willson Contreras (C, Reserve): 0-for-1, 0 RBI. Pinch-hit walk in ninth.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .290 BA (10/35), 5 R, 10 H, 0 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K, 0 E, 18 LOB. Cardinals 2-for-5 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Cleveland Guardians

• Nolan Jones (OF): 1-for-3, 1 single, 0 RBI, 1 BB. Broke up no-hitter in fifth.
• José Ramírez (3B): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K. Stranded two runners in sixth.
• Josh Naylor (1B): 0-for-3, 1 K. Hitless against Gray.
• Andrés Giménez (2B): 0-for-3, 1 K. Struck out twice.
• Steven Kwan (LF): 0-for-3, 0 K. Hitless in leadoff spot.
• Bo Naylor (C, Reserve): 0-for-1, 0 RBI. Pinch-hit groundout.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .150 BA (5/34), 0 R, 5 H, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 BB, 11 K, 0 E, 30 LOB. Guardians 0-for-3 with RISP.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (CLE 0, STL 2): Burleson’s two-run homer off Ortiz.
• Top 3rd (CLE 0, STL 5): Pagés’ three-run homer off Ortiz.
• Bottom 5th (CLE 0, STL 5): Jones’ single breaks no-hitter.
• Bottom 6th (CLE 0, STL 5): Gray escapes bases-loaded jam.
• Bottom 9th (CLE 0, STL 5): Gray retires side for complete game.

Game 2: St. Louis Cardinals 9, Cleveland Guardians 6 (June 28, 2025)

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals overcame a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 9-6 on June 28, 2025, at Progressive Field. Masyn Winn’s two-run double in the seventh capped a five-run inning, and Lars Nootbaar’s three-run homer in the ninth off Emmanuel Clase (3-4) provided insurance. Victor Scott II added a two-run homer in the first. Logan Allen (5-6) gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings for Cleveland, while Miles Mikolas (5-5) allowed five runs over six innings for St. Louis but earned the win. Attendance was 32,484, with the game lasting 2:41.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar (LF): 2-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 K. Three-run homer in ninth off Clase.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 K. Two-run double in seventh.
• Victor Scott II (OF): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K. Two-run homer in first off Allen.
• Nolan Gorman (2B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 1 R, 1 K. Scored on Winn’s double.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 0 K. Advanced runners in seventh.
• Iván Herrera (C, Reserve): 1-for-2, 1 RBI. RBI single in seventh.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .280 BA (11/39), 9 R, 11 H, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K, 0 E, 20 LOB. Cardinals 4-for-10 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Cleveland Guardians

• José Ramírez (3B): 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 K. Solo homer in third off Mikolas.
• Josh Naylor (1B): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K. Solo homer in fourth.
• Andrés Giménez (2B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 1 R, 1 K. Scored on wild pitch in sixth.
• Steven Kwan (LF): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 0 K. Advanced runners in third.
• Bo Naylor (C): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 1 K. RBI single in sixth.
• Lane Thomas (RF, Reserve): 1-for-2, 1 RBI. RBI single in sixth.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .250 BA (9/36), 6 R, 9 H, 0 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 9 K, 1 E, 24 LOB. Guardians 2-for-8 with RISP.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (CLE 0, STL 2): Scott II’s two-run homer off Allen.
• Bottom 3rd (CLE 1, STL 2): Ramírez’s solo homer off Mikolas.
• Bottom 4th (CLE 2, STL 2): Naylor’s solo homer.
• Top 7th (CLE 2, STL 7): Winn’s two-run double, Herrera RBI single.
• Bottom 9th (CLE 6, STL 9): Nootbaar’s three-run homer off Clase.

Game 3: St. Louis Cardinals 7, Cleveland Guardians 0 (June 29, 2025)

Game Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals completed the sweep with a 7-0 shutout of the Cleveland Guardians on June 29, 2025, at Progressive Field. Nolan Gorman belted a three-run homer in the third off Logan Allen (5-6), and Victor Scott II added a two-run homer in the sixth. Matthew Liberatore (6-6) pitched six innings of three-hit ball, striking out five for his third straight win, with JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien, and John King combining for a three-hitter and eight walks. Attendance was 27,935, with the game lasting 2:50.

Key Player Stats: St. Louis Cardinals

• Nolan Gorman (2B): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 0 K. Three-run homer in third off Allen.
• Victor Scott II (OF): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K. Two-run homer in sixth off Allen.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 2-for-4, 2 singles, 1 R, 0 K. Scored on Gorman’s homer.
• Nolan Arenado (3B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 1 R, 0 K. Scored on Scott II’s homer.
• Brendan Donovan (2B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 1 K. Advanced runners in third.
• Willson Contreras (C, Reserve): 1-for-2, 1 RBI. RBI single in first.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .290 BA (11/38), 7 R, 11 H, 0 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K, 0 E, 18 LOB. Cardinals 3-for-8 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Cleveland Guardians

• José Ramírez (3B): 1-for-4, 1 single, 0 RBI, 0 K. Stranded two runners in sixth.
• Josh Naylor (1B): 0-for-4, 1 K. Hitless against Liberatore.
• Andrés Giménez (2B): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K. Walked in fourth but stranded.
• Steven Kwan (LF): 0-for-3, 0 K. Hitless in leadoff spot.
• Bo Naylor (C): 0-for-3, 1 K. Struck out twice.
• Lane Thomas (RF, Reserve): 0-for-1, 0 RBI. Pinch-hit groundout.
• Inactives: No major absences reported.
  Team Stats: .190 BA (7/37), 0 R, 7 H, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K, 0 E, 30 LOB. Guardians 0-for-6 with RISP.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (CLE 0, STL 1): Contreras RBI single scores Winn.
• Top 3rd (CLE 0, STL 4): Gorman’s three-run homer off Allen.
• Top 6th (CLE 0, STL 6): Scott II’s two-run homer.
• Bottom 6th (CLE 0, STL 6): Liberatore escapes bases-loaded jam.
• Bottom 9th (CLE 0, STL 7): King retires side for save.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Since 1998, the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Guardians have played 27 games, with Cleveland leading 15-10 (60% win rate). The Cardinals average 3.1 runs per game to the Guardians’ 5.0, with opponents averaging 5.0 and 3.1, respectively. In the last five series before 2025, Cleveland won three, with a 33.3% ATS win percentage and 16.7% total runs over.

In June 2025, the Cardinals swept 3-0, demonstrating:

• Offensive Surge: 21 runs on 32 hits, including 5 HR.
• Starting Pitching: Liberatore and Mikolas combined for 11 IP, 5 ER (4.09 ERA).
• Bullpen Lockdown: 3 saves, holding Cleveland to 0-for-18 RISP in Games 2 and 3.

The Guardians showed:

• Early Power: 3-1 lead in Game 1 after Ramírez homer.
• Resilience: 6 runs in Game 2 despite loss.

Series Standouts

St. Louis Cardinals

• Nolan Gorman (2B): Series MVP with 3-for-12, 3 HR, 6 RBI; three-run homers in Games 1 and 3.
• Masyn Winn (SS): 5-for-13, 1 R; consistent contact.
• Victor Scott II (OF): 2-for-12, 1 HR, 2 RBI; two-run homer in Game 3.

Cleveland Guardians

• José Ramírez (3B): 3-for-12, 1 HR, 1 RBI; solo homer in Game 1.
• Josh Naylor (1B): 2-for-12, 1 HR, 1 RBI; solo homer in Game 1.
• Andrés Giménez (2B): 2-for-12, 1 RBI; RBI single in Game 1.

Team Performance Context

St. Louis Cardinals (47-38, 2nd NL Central by June 29)

The Cardinals, two games behind the Brewers in the NL Central, notched their first sweep since April with the victory, with a 18-19 road record. Their offense averaged 7.0 RPG in the series, boosted by 5 HR; pitching posted a 2.00 ERA, as Liberatore earned his third straight win. They hosted the Brewers next, on a 15-12 June pace.

Cleveland Guardians (40-42, 3rd AL Central by June 29)

The Guardians, two games behind Kansas City in the AL Central, lost their first home series since May, with a 22-15 home record. Offense averaged 3.0 RPG, limited to 4-for-18 with RISP; pitching allowed 7.0 RPG, with Allen taking the loss. They hosted the Twins next, on a 14-11 June pace.

Injury and Roster Notes

• St. Louis Cardinals: No major injuries during the series; Matthew Liberatore (6-6) day-to-day after start. Nolan Gorman (wrist) managed snaps.
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber (Tommy John surgery, out for season); Emmanuel Clase (elbow inflammation, 15-day IL). Josh Naylor (wrist soreness) day-to-day.

Conclusion

The St. Louis Cardinals swept the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in their 2025 MLB interleague series at Progressive Field, with 5-0, 9-6, and 7-0 wins from June 27-29. Alec Burleson and Pedro Pagés’ homers in Game 1, Masyn Winn’s two-run double in Game 2, and Nolan Gorman’s three-run homer and Victor Scott II’s two-run homer in Game 3 propelled the Cardinals, while José Ramírez’s solo homer and Josh Naylor’s solo homer couldn’t overcome Cleveland’s pitching woes. The sweep boosted St. Louis in the wild-card race and halted the Guardians’ home streak. For more detailed stats and recaps, visit ESPN, Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com, or CBS Sports.