Cardinals vs Dodgers Showdown: Can Sonny Gray Silence LA’s Bats? Expert Picks & Parlay

August 5, 2025 - Get ready for a potential playoff preview tonight on the West Coast! The St. Louis Cardinals (56-57) head to Dodger Stadium to face the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers (65-47) at 10:10 PM ET. MLB betting expert Daniel E. Dobish has analyzed the matchup and reveals his top three picks – including a same-game parlay – for this exciting series opener.

Why Trust Dobish? Daniel brings years of experience analyzing MLB trends, player performance, and betting odds. His picks are based on deep dives into stats, recent form, and specific matchups, giving you insights beyond just the basics.

Expert Pick #1: Sonny Gray OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (-135)

• Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray gets the start. While his overall season stats (10-5, 4.38 ERA) and recent struggles on the road (including a disastrous 9-run outing in Arizona) might raise eyebrows, one thing remains rock solid: his ability to strike batters out.
• Dobish Points Out: Gray has recorded exactly 5 strikeouts in each of his last 4 starts. Even more impressive? He's had 5+ strikeouts in 8 straight games, and has recorded at least 4 strikeouts in all 22 starts this season. Against a Dodgers lineup that can be aggressive, Gray's knack for getting swings and misses makes the Over on 4.5 Ks a strong play.

Expert Pick #2: Freddie Freeman OVER 1.5 Total Bases (-120)

• Focus shifts to the Dodgers' star first baseman. Freddie Freeman is a consistent hitting machine, especially in the heart of that potent LA lineup. Dobish expects Freeman to find success against Gray and the Cardinals' bullpen.
• Dobish's Reasoning: Freeman's elite contact skills and ability to drive the ball (singles, doubles, even homers) make him a prime candidate to rack up bases. This prop hits if he gets two singles, a double, a homer, or any combination adding up to two or more bases. Given his talent and matchup, Dobish likes his chances.

Expert Pick #3: The Same-Game Parlay (+260)

• Want a bigger payout? Dobish recommends combining his top two picks into a parlay:
• Sonny Gray OVER 4.5 Strikeouts
• Freddie Freeman OVER 1.5 Total Bases
• UNDER 9.5 Total Runs (-115)
• Why This Combo? The first two picks leverage strong individual trends. Adding the Under on total runs reflects the history between these teams – two of their three meetings back in June stayed Under, including a 5-0 Cardinals shutout started by Gray. While both lineups can score, Dobish sees potential for a tighter, lower-scoring affair than the total suggests, especially with Gray capable of flashes of dominance.

Remember: The Cardinals surprised the Dodgers by taking two out of three games in St. Louis back in early June. Can they pull off another upset on the road? Or will the Dodgers flex their muscles at home? Tune in tonight and see if Dobish's expert picks hit the mark!

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