The St. Louis Cardinals corners the Los Angeles Dodgers 3–2 in the opener where Cardinals got their Win of their Dodger Stadium series fueled by Yohel Pozo’s pinch‑hit RBI single and a game‑saving diving catch from Lars Nootbaar.
🧠 Cardinals vs Dodgers Context
- At Dodger Stadium the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3–2 in the series opener their second meeting after a three-game set at Busch Stadium in June which LA won 2–1 on August 4, 2025.
- A resurgent Sonny Gray delivered 7 innings of one-run ball with 8 strikeouts to stabilize St. Louis’s rotation, while Tyler Glasnow also struck out seven over seven innings but took the loss.
- The Cardinals improved to 2–2 on their current road trip; the Dodgers remain sluggish post All-Star break, dropping to 7–9 since then.
🎮 Game Breakdown: Cardinals vs Dodgers (Aug 4, 2025)
Opening Frames
- Masyn Winn started the Game by scoring with a solo home run in the 2nd inning.
- Freddie Freeman tied the game unexpectedly in the 4th with his 13th homer of the season.
Middle Innings
- Iván Herrera reignited the Cardinals with a two out solo homer in the 8th to briefly give St. Louis the lead.
- Dodgers answered immediately in bottom of the 8th via Teoscar Hernández’s double and groundouts to tie it.
Game-Winning Dramatic Pinch-Hit
- In the 9th pinch-hitter Yohel Pozo facing newly arrived Dodgers reliever Brock Stewart lined an opposite-field single to right to plate the winning run and secure a 3–2 Cardinals win.
- Pozo has been sensational in pinch hit duty this season going 6 for 12 with four go ahead RBIs .
Defensive Heroics by Lars Nootbaar
- After Shohei Ohtani singled to lead off the bottom of the ninth Mookie Betts drove a fly to right Lars Nootbaar ran hard to the wall and made a spectacular diving catch to rob a potential game winning hit and preserve the lead.
🌟 Key Figures: Pozo & Nootbaar Spotlight
Yohel Pozo – Off the Bench, Into the Spotlight
- A familiar success story: once homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic Pozo worked his way back to deliver clutch pinch hit heroics.
- Manager Oliver Marmol praised his relentless work ethic and readiness: “I’m always ready to hit…” said Pozo after the game.
Lars Nootbaar – Defensive Game-Changer
- Nootbaar’s stunning catch was the turning point snuffing out Dodgers’ hopes in the bottom of the ninth.
- The California born USC alum continues to shine with skilled outfield play and rising offensive contributions entering this season with 57 career homers and 183 RBIs through early August.
📌 Rivalry & Franchise Context
- The Dodgers–Cardinals rivalry dates back over a century, with postseason drama Cardinals have historically dominated head‑to‑head postseason series, including 2020 and 2021 matchups though the Dodgers claimed the 2021 Wild Card walk off win.
- Recent trades reshaped the dynamic Tommy Edman formerly Cardinals utility star was traded to the Dodgers and became the 2024 NLCS MVP and a World Series champion with LA.
NOOOOOOOOOT SAVES THE GAME!#ForTheLou x @STIHLUSA pic.twitter.com/oyL6S1VwoO
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 5, 2025
🔍 Tactical & Strategic Insights
- Bullpen management: Cardinals avoided using closer David Bednar until necessity. Dodgers’ new acquisition Brock Stewart was victimized quickly in his first appearance at Dodger Stadium.
- Starting pitching battle: Gray turned toward curveball and cutter mix, shutting down LA offense. Glasnow was effective but unlucky without bullpen support.
- Offense and timely hitting: Cardinals got HRs from young hitters (Winn, Herrera) while Dodgers leaned too heavily on Freeman and Ohtani without adequate support from lower order.
📝 Implications & Looking Forward
- Cardinals: Head back home with momentum a clutch win on the road and at least a split looming. Next starter is Miles Mikolas set to oppose rookie Emmet Sheehan in Game 2.
- Dodgers: Slowly derailed their nine game road trip and struggle to regain form (.500 since All-Star Break). Losing this opener looms as another blip in postseason chase.