Hey there, baseball fans! We’re fired up to bring you an epic clash between two storied franchises, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. These teams have a rich history and a fierce rivalry that’s sure to make for an unforgettable game. So, grab a cold one, settle into your favorite chair, and get ready to witness a tale of two teams with different destinies.
The Cardinals come into this game as one of the heavyweights of the National League. With a stacked lineup, a solid bullpen, and a seasoned manager in the dugout, they’re aiming to prove that they’re still a force to be reckoned with. On the other hand, the Reds have been struggling to find their footing in recent years. They’ve got some talented players, but injuries and inconsistency have held them back. This game is a crucial chance for them to turn things around and show that they’ve still got some fight in them.
Lineup and Pitching Matchup
The starting lineups and pitching matchups for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds game are as follows:
Cardinals Lineup
1. Paul DeJong, SS
2. Tyler O’Neill, CF
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
5. Tommy Edman, 2B
6. Lars Nootbaar, RF
7. Juan Yepez, LF
8. Andrew Knizner, C
9. Miles Mikolas, P
The Cardinals’ lineup is a mix of power and speed, with three players in the top four of the order who have hit at least 25 home runs this season. Paul DeJong is batting .300 with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Tyler O’Neill is batting .280 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs. Nolan Arenado is batting .293 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs. The Cardinals also have a strong bottom of the order, with Lars Nootbaar and Juan Yepez both hitting over .300 this season.
Reds Lineup
1. Nick Senzel, 2B
2. Jonathan India, 3B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Brandon Drury, LF
5. Kyle Farmer, SS
6. Stuart Fairchild, RF
7. Matt Reynolds, 2B
8. Tyler Stephenson, C
9. Hunter Greene, P
The Reds’ lineup is led by Joey Votto, who is a seven-time All-Star and has led the NL in OPS twice. Votto is batting .275 this season with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. Jonathan India is also a key part of the Reds’ offense, batting .290 with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs. However, the Reds’ lineup has struggled as a whole this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in OPS.
Pitching Matchup
The pitching matchup for this game is between Miles Mikolas of the Cardinals and Hunter Greene of the Reds. Mikolas is 8-7 with a 3.48 ERA this season, while Greene is 4-12 with a 5.83 ERA.
Mikolas is a veteran pitcher who has been one of the Cardinals’ most consistent starters this season. He is coming off a strong start against the Milwaukee Brewers in which he allowed just one run over six innings. Greene, on the other hand, is a rookie who has struggled at times this season. However, he has shown flashes of potential, including a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he struck out 11 batters over six innings.
The Cardinals will be looking to Mikolas to give them a solid start and keep the Reds’ offense in check. The Reds, meanwhile, will need Greene to have a good outing in order to give them a chance to win.
Starting Pitchers
The St. Louis Cardinals will send Jack Flaherty to the mound in the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. Flaherty has been one of the Cardinals’ most consistent starters this season, with a 4-2 record and a 4.76 ERA in 10 starts.
Flaherty will be opposed by Luis Castillo, who has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season. Castillo is 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 10 starts, and he has struck out 106 batters in 61.1 innings pitched.
Cardinals Starter: Jack Flaherty
Jack Flaherty has been a key part of the Cardinals’ rotation since he made his debut in 2017. He has a career record of 32-23 with a 3.31 ERA, and he has struck out 486 batters in 458.1 innings pitched.
Flaherty is a power pitcher who relies on his fastball and changeup. His fastball averages 95 mph, and his changeup is one of the best in the league. He also has a developing cutter that he can use to keep hitters off balance.
Flaherty has had some struggles with his command this season, but he has still been effective. He has walked 24 batters in 53.1 innings pitched, but he has also struck out 62 batters.
Reds Starter: Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the National League over the past few seasons. He has a career record of 48-36 with a 3.59 ERA, and he has struck out 747 batters in 650.2 innings pitched.
Castillo is a sinkerballer who relies on his ability to generate ground balls. His sinker averages 97 mph, and he also has a good changeup and slider. He is able to locate his pitches well, and he rarely walks batters.
Castillo has been even better than usual this season. He has a 3.19 ERA in 10 starts, and he has struck out 106 batters in 61.1 innings pitched. He has only walked 15 batters this season, which is a testament to his excellent command.
Cardinals Keys
**Get to Castillo early:** Luis Castillo is one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League, but he can be vulnerable early in games. The Cardinals need to capitalize on this by putting runs on the board in the first few innings. They can do this by being aggressive at the plate and swinging early in counts.
**Limit walks:** Castillo has excellent control, but he can be susceptible to walks when he gets behind in the count. The Cardinals need to avoid falling behind in counts and force Castillo to throw strikes. They can do this by being patient at the plate and taking pitches that are outside the strike zone.
**Play solid defense:** The Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the league, and they need to play error-free baseball behind Flaherty. They need to make routine plays and turn double plays when they have the opportunity. They also need to be alert on the bases and prevent the Reds from stealing bags.
Reds Keys
**Attack Flaherty early:** Jack Flaherty is a solid pitcher, but he can be shaky early in games. The Reds need to take advantage of this by putting runs on the board in the first few innings. They can do this by being aggressive at the plate and swinging early in counts.
**Take advantage of mistakes:** Flaherty is a young pitcher, and he is still prone to making mistakes. The Reds need to capitalize on these mistakes by putting the ball in play and making him work. They can do this by being patient at the plate and waiting for Flaherty to make a mistake.
**Keep the ball in the park:** The Reds have one of the worst home run rates in the league, and they need to keep the ball in the park against Flaherty. They can do this by hitting the ball on the ground and avoiding fly balls. They also need to be aware of Flaherty’s changeup and not swing at it if it is out of the strike zone.
Prediction
Cardinals Outlook
The Cardinals have been on a hot streak, winning four consecutive games, and the addition of All-Star catcher Willson Contreras has given their lineup a boost. They are also getting steady production from their starting rotation, which features Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, and Adam Wainwright. If the Cardinals can continue to pitch well and get timely hitting, they have a good chance of extending their winning streak.
Reds Outlook
The Reds are in a bit of a funk, having lost five of their last six games. They are also dealing with some injuries, as Mike Moustakas and Nick Senzel are both on the injured list. The Reds need to find a way to get their offense going, as they have scored just 14 runs in their last six games. If they can’t get more production from their offense, they will have a tough time avoiding a three-game sweep by the Cardinals.
Betting Line
The Cardinals are a -180 favorite to win the game, while the Reds are a +160 underdog. The Cardinals have a strong pitching staff and a good offense, while the Reds are dealing with some injuries and have been struggling offensively. Based on these factors, the Cardinals are a good bet to win the game.
Injury Report
Cardinals:
- Nolan Gorman (knee) – Out
- Steven Matz (shoulder) – Out
Reds:
- Mike Moustakas (calf) – Out
- Nick Senzel (ankle) – Out
Broadcast Information
TV
For those unable to attend the game in person, the St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds matchup will be televised on Bally Sports Midwest for viewers in the Cardinals’ home territory. The broadcast will feature experienced commentators providing insights and analysis throughout the game.
Radio
For those without access to television, the game will also be available on the radio. In St. Louis, KMOX (1120 AM) will carry the Cardinals’ broadcast, while WLW (700 AM) will broadcast the Reds’ perspective in Cincinnati.
Streaming
For fans who prefer to stream the game online, MLB.TV offers a subscription-based service that allows users to watch live games from around the league, including the Cardinals at Reds matchup. By subscribing, fans can access the game on their computers, smartphones, or tablets.
Additional Coverage
In addition to the broadcasts, there will be extensive coverage of the game available online. The Cardinals’ and Reds’ official websites will provide live updates, box scores, and post-game analysis. Various sports news outlets will also cover the game, offering additional insights and perspectives.
Local Coverage
For those interested in local coverage of the game, several St. Louis and Cincinnati-based media outlets will provide their own perspectives. Local newspapers, such as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Cincinnati Enquirer, will have reporters covering the game and providing analysis. Local radio stations may also air pre- and post-game shows discussing the matchup.