On July 2, 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals (47-40) face the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-50) in a pivotal matchup at PNC Park. After a narrow 1-0 victory, secured by a sacrifice fly from Henry Davis in their latest game, the Pirates look to complete a sweep over the Cardinals, who are on a two-game losing streak. Pittsburgh has been on a scoring spree, amassing 38 runs during a five-game winning streak and 55 runs across a 7-2 run, putting them in strong form. In contrast, the Cardinals aim to bounce back from their recent losses, despite a solid 10-5 record in their last 15 games.

The starting pitchers for the game are Sonny Gray (Cardinals), boasting an impressive 8-2 record and a 3.36 ERA, against Mitch Keller (Pirates), who struggles with a 2-10 record but a respectable 3.90 ERA. Gray's last performance was stellar, throwing a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts. Oddsmakers favor the Cardinals at -140 on the moneyline and predict a close game with an over/under set at 8 runs. Expert predictions suggest a play on the Cardinals to win and lean toward the over on total runs. Follow along as the action unfolds!

The MLB betting landscape is buzzing with excitement as top matchups unfold on July 2, 2025. Following a successful no-runs-first-inning (NRFI) betting night, there are six standout NRFI picks to consider today. Key matchups include the St. Louis Cardinals facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, where pitchers Sonny Gray and Mitch Keller are set to take the mound. Gray, boasting an impressive 12-4 NRFI record this season, aims to maintain his form after a complete game shutout against the Guardians. Keller, with a solid 12-5 NRFI record, presents a tough challenge. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres face off against the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader, with Nick Pivetta and rookie Mick Abel pitching. Pivetta, also 12-4 on NRFIs this year, is expected to shine. The betting community is closely monitoring these games, considering weather conditions and lineup changes that could impact outcomes.

As July approaches, fantasy baseball managers should keep a keen eye on the latest prospect developments, particularly as MLB teams assess their rosters leading up to the trade deadline. Players like Yanquiel Fernandez from the Colorado Rockies have shown strong potential, boasting a .284 batting average with notable power. Meanwhile, Harry Ford of the Seattle Mariners has been making waves in Triple-A, showcasing a solid .305 batting average, and could soon see action in the majors. Similarly, Brice Matthews of the Houston Astros is also on the brink of a call-up, posting impressive stats with 23 stolen bases this season.

The pitching landscape is equally intriguing, with Didier Fuentes of the Atlanta Braves seeing mixed results upon his call-up, yet still possessing the potential to grow with each outing. Brandon Sproat, a rising star in the New York Mets organization, is another name to watch as he navigates the challenges of Triple-A. Lastly, Quinn Mathews of the St. Louis Cardinals, despite a slow start, could emerge as a late-season surprise for fantasy rosters. These prospects offer tantalizing upside for managers willing to invest in their growth.

Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star pitcher, is on the brink of a monumental milestone as he approaches 3,000 career strikeouts in Major League Baseball. His first strikeout victim, Skip Schumaker, recalls the surprise of facing Kershaw during his debut in 2008, quickly realizing the young pitcher's potential. Kershaw now stands as one of the most dominant pitchers in history, with accolades including ten All-Star selections, three Cy Young Awards, and two World Series championships.

As Kershaw nears this historic achievement, he joins the ranks of Hall of Famers like Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson, and potentially, those who have spent their entire careers with one team. Schumaker, who faced Kershaw multiple times without success, emphasizes Kershaw's impact not just on the field but also on the community, highlighting his dedication to charitable work. The anticipation builds as fans and players alike look forward to witnessing this remarkable career milestone.

Quinn Mathews, Hunter Barco, and Logan Henderson are the top pitching prospects to consider stashing in your fantasy baseball roster. Mathews, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, has shown potential but struggled recently with his command. Despite a couple of rough outings, his earlier performance post-injury was encouraging, with a 2.89 ERA over 18.2 innings.

Hunter Barco of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been dominant at both Double-A and Triple-A levels, boasting a 2.04 ERA and a high strikeout rate. His four-pitch arsenal is impressive, particularly his mid-90s fastball, and he's likely to get called up soon. Logan Henderson, on the other hand, has made a brief MLB appearance with a strong 1.91 ERA; however, his path to regular pitching in the majors is more complicated due to the presence of other strong prospects in the Brewers' rotation.