Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals-Astros Set For Epic Rubber Match Ahead Of Monday's Series Opener

St. Louis is ready to host Houston at Busch Stadium
Nate Hagerty|
Sep 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Sep 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals are off to a solid start in 2025, with a 7-8 record, after defeating two of the Philadelphia Phillies' best starting pitchers on Friday and Sunday.

The red-hot Cardinals offense stunned Philadelphia after handing All-Star hurler Aaron Nola his third loss of the season Friday. Two days later, Phillies ace Zack Wheeler shockingly surrendered four earned runs on seven hits to St. Louis' youth-laden lineup.

Hopefully, the Cardinals can keep the momentum going from Sunday's dominant 7-0 victory over the National League East rival Phillies as they prepare to take on the Houston Astros in what should be a thrilling rubber match between both teams' aces.

Cardinals right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray and Astros left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez have been appointed to start Monday night's game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM Central Standard Time at Busch Stadium.

Gray has logged a 2-0 record with a 4.50 ERA, 19-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .207 batting average against and a 0.88 WHIP throughout three starts in 16 innings pitched for the Cardinals this year.

Although Gray's velocity has decreased since 2024, the 35-year-old has been tremendous at commanding the zone in 2025. The three-time All-Star has struggled this year with sacrificing home runs -- eight in spring training and four through his first three regular-season starts -- but luckily, the Astros' offense is currently ranked 21st with 12 home runs.

Valdez has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.50 ERA, 21-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .161 batting average against and a 0.94 WHIP throughout three starts in 18 innings pitched for Houston this season.

The 31-year-old southpaw is off to a hot start in what could be his final season with the Astros. Valdez will become a free agent this winter and if he continues to dominate, he should have no issues landing a lucrative multi-year deal.

Monday night's showdown between Gray and Valdez should be exciting but hopefully, the Cardinals' offense will find a way to rattle the Astros' ace -- just as it did to Pirates' phenom Paul Skenes and $126 million Phillies' Wheeler.

More MLB: Cardinals $44 Million Hurler Pacing To Be Dealt Before July 31st Trade Deadline

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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