The New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals meet tonight for Game 2 of their three-game series, with aces Max Fried and Sonny Gray set to square off.

Both pitchers are looking to shake off rough summers after strong starts to the season. Fried has gone 2–3 with a 6.00 ERA over his last seven starts — a sharp drop from April, when he was 5–0 with a dazzling 0.82 ERA.

Gray, 35, also started the year well, posting a 2.55 ERA in June. But like Fried, he unraveled in July, giving up 24 earned runs in 27.2 innings for a 7.81 ERA that month. He’s rebounded in August, however, delivering back-to-back seven-inning outings with just one earned run allowed, including a gem against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fried, meanwhile, has yet to snap out of his midseason slump — and the Yankees badly need him to rise to the occasion as they fight to stay alive in the playoff race.

Entering tonight, they sit seven games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. New York has found ways to win, including last night’s victory over St. Louis, but they can’t gain ground on the division leader, as Toronto seems like it just can’t lose.

Fried will need to become an ace in August to give the Yankees a chance in October. We’ll see tonight if he’s capable of turning his season — and that of the Yankees — around.

Expect Gray to have a solid outing against his former team, but for the Yankees’ bats to deliver late in the game to get the win.

Prediction: Yankees 5, Cardinals 3

Starting Lineups

New York Yankees

1. Trent Grisham – CF

2. Ben Rice – 1B

3. Aaron Judge – DH

4. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B

5. Jasson Domínguez – LF

6. Anthony Volpe – SS

7. Ryan McMahon – 3B

8. Austin Wells – C

9. José Caballero – RF

Starting Pitcher: Max Fried (LHP), 12-5, 2.94 ERA

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Masyn Winn – SS

2. Alec Burleson – 1B

3. Iván Herrera – DH

4. Lars Nootbaar – LF

5. Jordan Walker – RF

6. Nolan Gorman – 3B

7. Thomas Saggese – 2B

8. Pedro Pagés – C

9. Victor Scott II – CF

Starting Pitcher: Sonny Gray (RHP), 11-5, 4.06 ERA

How to Watch Yankees vs. Cardinals

First pitch for tonight’s Yankees-Cardinals game is set for 7:15 PM Eastern. This game will be broadcast nationally on FOX and will stream live on the FOX Sports app and website.

New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025

Expected First Pitch: 7:15 PM Eastern/6:15 PM Central

Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

TV: FOX

Streaming: FOX Sports app and website