The Dodgers hosted the Cardinals on Aug. 4, 2025, in a crucial series opener. See how Glasnow, Ohtani, and Smith fared against St. Louis's Sonny Gray.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The August grind is officially underway at Dodger Stadium. On a warm Monday evening, the Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off a pivotal three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking the start of a homestand that will test the team's recently retooled roster. With the NL West lead to protect and the postseason looming, every game carries significant weight, and this matchup against a scrappy Cardinals club is no exception.
With a team-leading .324 batting average and a staggering .422 on-base percentage, Will Smith remains one of the most consistent and valuable hitters in the Dodgers' lineup.
The series opener featured a marquee pitching duel between Dodgers ace Tyler Glasnow and Cardinals veteran Sonny Gray. Entering the contest with a 1-1 record and a solid 3.38 ERA since joining LA, Glasnow looked to set the tone against a St. Louis team fighting to stay relevant in the NL Central. On the other side, Gray's 10-5 record and 133 strikeouts speak to his ability to control a game. For a Dodgers offense powered by Shohei Ohtani's 38 home runs and Will Smith's elite on-base skills, solving Gray was the first major challenge of the week.
Fans might have noticed a few new and missing faces in the dugout. The Dodgers have been active, reshaping the roster for the stretch run. The biggest recent move saw reliable reliever Kirby Yates land on the 15-day injured list with lower back pain, a significant blow to the bullpen. In response, the front office acquired RHP Brock Stewart from the Twins in a trade that sent fan-favorite James Outman to Minnesota. The team also bolstered its outfield depth by acquiring Alex Call from the Nationals, providing more flexibility as the season wears on.
While some moves were for immediate impact, the front office also kept an eye on the future. The trade sending RHP Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox was a clear signal of building for tomorrow. In return, the Dodgers received promising minor league outfielders James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, restocking a farm system that fuels the team's long-term success. While it's always tough to see a homegrown talent like May depart, the trade demonstrates the front office's dual focus on winning now and sustaining it for years to come. Other minor moves, like LHP Zach Penrod being sent outright to Triple-A, show the constant churn required to maintain a championship-caliber roster.
As the Dodgers navigate this crucial stretch of the season, all eyes will be on how the new pieces gel. The series against the Cardinals is just the first test for a team that has been reshaped on the fly. How newcomers like Brock Stewart and Alex Call perform, and how the offense rallies, will determine if the Dodgers can not only hold but extend their lead in the NL West as the calendar pages turn towards October.
