St. Louis Cardinals Preview 2025: MLB Odds & Prediction

The St. Louis Cardinals might finally be entering a rebuilding period after missing the playoffs with an 83-79 record in 2024. They have had two losing seasons since 2000, but the betting market expects them to finish below .500 this year.

Here’s a look at the latest MLB betting odds and my prediction for the Cardinals for 2025:

Cardinals MLB Odds 2025

Win Total: 76.5
NL Central: +800
NL Pennant: +5000
World Series: +10000

The Cardinals’ MLB odds project them to be more of a long shot in 2025, a rare position for this franchise.

St. Louis’ win total dropped by eight games from last year’s clip, marking the team’s lowest win total since having an over/under of 71 in 1991. The Cardinals haven’t been longer than 35/1 to win the World Series in the preseason since they were 100/1 in 1991.

For comparison, check out this breakdown of St. Louis’ preseason odds in recent years:

Cardinals Depth Chart 2025

According to RosterResource, the Cardinals will have a similar depth chart in 2025 after not making any significant moves in the offseason.

In fact, don’t be surprised if this depth chart changes further by mid-summer with several notable players on the trade market.

Projected lineup

Projected rotation

Cardinals Player to Watch in 2025

Coming off a down season, Jordan Walker represents the Cardinals’ hope for their future outlook.

For years, St. Louis had a knack for getting the best out of its players, but the team’s development program hasn’t been nearly as effective in recent seasons.

Walker has been working with the Cardinals’ new hitting coach, Brant Brown, after posting a 72 wRC+ last year. This came after Walker, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 draft, recorded a 116 wRC+ in 117 MLB games in 2023.

It could be a positive sign for the Cardinals’ rebuild if Walker can rediscover his swing in 2025.

Cardinals Betting Prediction for 2025

Based on the updated MLB odds market, the Cardinals are a team worth backing as an underdog early in the 2025 season.

I don’t see value in St. Louis’ futures markets as of this writing, but there is a chance this team is underrated to begin the year. The Cardinals are being priced as the worst team in the NL Central, but projections tell a different story.

PECOTA, FanGraphs, and Clay Davenport all project St. Louis to finish in third place, ranging between 77 and 82 wins. That should make the Cardinals’ win total a bet, though projections can’t account for a potential firesale of the team’s top veterans this year.

That’s why I’d rather back St. Louis as an underdog early in the year before this team leans into a youth movement. The Cardinals are +100 to defeat the Minnesota Twins at home on opening day via the latest odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Prediction: Back the Cardinals as underdogs early in 2025

Cardinals Schedule

2025 MLB Team Previews & Predictions