Minnesota Twins vs St. Louis Cardinals Pick – 3/27/2025

The 2025 MLB season kicks off with an intriguing interleague contest between the Minnesota Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Both teams are eager to set a positive tone for the season ahead, making this opener a compelling matchup for fans and bettors alike.

Minnesota Twins vs. St. Louis Cardinals Game Preview

The Minnesota Twins concluded the 2024 season with an 82-80 record, narrowly missing postseason play. Their success in 2025 will heavily depend on the health and performance of key players such as Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis. These three combined to miss a significant number of games last season due to injuries. The Twins' roster remains largely unchanged, with the notable departure of right fielder Max Kepler and the addition of outfielder Harrison Bader.

On the mound for Minnesota is right-hander Pablo López. In the previous season, López posted a 15-10 record with a 4.08 ERA and 198 strikeouts. Historically, he has performed well against the Cardinals, holding a 3-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and 39 strikeouts in those matchups.

The St. Louis Cardinals finished the 2024 season slightly ahead of the Twins, with an 83-79 record. Despite this improvement from their 71-91 finish in 2023, they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, a rare occurrence for the franchise. The Cardinals aim to return to postseason contention in 2025, relying on a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent.

Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray will start for St. Louis. Gray concluded the 2024 season with a 13-9 record, a 3.84 ERA, and 203 strikeouts. However, his career numbers against the Twins are less favorable, with a 2-5 record and a 5.36 ERA.

Betting Insights

As of March 27, 2025, the betting odds for this matchup are as follows:

• Moneyline: Minnesota Twins -118, St. Louis Cardinals -102
• Run Line: Twins -1.5 (+148), Cardinals +1.5 (-178)
• Over/Under: 7.5 runs (Over -106, Under -114)

These odds suggest a closely contested game, with the Twins being slight favorites.

For bettors considering player prop bets, several trends are noteworthy:

• Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in four of his last seven appearances when the Twins are favored against National League opponents.
• Carlos Correa has recorded a double in three of his last four appearances when his team is favored in road openers.
• Pablo López has recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances when his team is favored against NL Central opponents.

Minnesota Twins vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction

Analyzing the available data, the Minnesota Twins appear to have a slight edge in this season opener. Pablo López's strong track record against the Cardinals and the Twins' overall performance as moneyline favorites last season (winning 55.8% of such games) support this assessment.

Conversely, while the Cardinals have the advantage of playing at home, Sonny Gray's historical struggles against the Twins and the team's underdog status (winning 50.6% of games when not favored last season) suggest potential difficulties.

Considering these factors, a closely contested game is anticipated, with the Twins likely securing a narrow victory. Bettors might find value in the Twins' moneyline and the over on the total runs, given the offensive capabilities of both lineups and the starting pitchers' histories.

As always, it's essential to monitor any last-minute developments, such as lineup changes or weather conditions, before placing bets. Engaging with this game offers an exciting opportunity to kick off the MLB season with informed wagering.

Visit the MLB picks and predictions section for the rest of today's games.