The St. Louis Cardinals (60-58) are gearing up to battle the Cincinnati Reds (57-61) in the opening game of a crucial three-game series on Monday night. This matchup will unfold at Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.
Taking the mound for the Cardinals is Sonny Gray, boasting an impressive record of 11-6 with a 3.45 ERA. The Reds will respond with Andrew Abbott, who has a record of 9-9 and a 3.70 ERA.
Historically, St. Louis has held an edge over Cincinnati, winning six of their last ten encounters.
When it comes to MLB picks, our MLB Predictions are stellar.
Cardinals Eyeing a Strong Comeback
After securing a series win against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Cardinals split their recent series with the Kansas City Royals, dropping the final game on Saturday. Currently, they find themselves in a tight race for the NL Wildcard, trailing the Atlanta Braves by two games for the last playoff position. With their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread, they aim to rebound from the loss to Kansas City with a victory on Monday.
St. Louis averages 4.17 runs per game, a performance reflected in their .247 batting average, which ranks 13th in Major League Baseball. Their on-base percentage sits at .310 (18th), while their slugging percentage is .389 (19th). Key players include Masyn Winn leading with a .279 batting average, and Alec Burleson, who paces the team with 20 home runs and 67 RBIs.
However, the Cardinals’ pitching has shown vulnerabilities, allowing 4.08 runs per game. They rank 25th in opponent batting average at .252, and their team ERA of 4.12 is 19th in the league, with a WHIP of 1.27 (17th). In his last outing, Gray delivered effectively, allowing just four hits and two runs over seven innings, contributing to a 4-3 victory against Tampa Bay.
Reds Seeking to Regain Momentum
Cincinnati recently halted a two-game skid with a crucial victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite this win, the Reds have struggled over the past week, losing two of their last three series. This decline has resulted in a loss of ground in the Wildcard race, now sitting 5.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. To remain competitive for a playoff spot, they must start with a win against their rivals.
As a team, the Reds are averaging 4.44 runs per game, although their batting average of .230 places them 26th in the league. Their on-base percentage is .303 (24th), while their slugging percentage stands at .390 (16th). Elly De La Cruz leads the team with a .264 batting average and 20 home runs, while Spencer Steer is the top run producer with 68 RBIs.
On the pitching front, Cincinnati’s staff has performed well, allowing 3.83 runs per game, ranking 10th in opponent batting average at .235. Their team ERA of 3.91 is 11th, and they hold a WHIP of 1.24 (12th). In Abbott’s previous start, he struggled, giving up six runs on six hits over five innings, resulting in a 6-4 loss to Miami. A stronger performance will be needed from him to secure a win.
Best Bets for St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Philadelphia Phillies have shown a recent surge, winning four of their last six games. Despite having one of the most potent offenses, they’ve faced challenges lately, failing to score more than four runs in their last four contests. While Bellozo has pitched well in recent outings, allowing just seven runs over his last four starts, the Marlins have struggled, particularly in the bullpen, leading to losses in three of those games. Expect the Phillies to build on their momentum against the Marlins.
On the other hand, the Miami Marlins find themselves in a rough patch, losing five of their last seven contests. Although they’ve displayed offensive power, scoring 17 runs in their past three games, they’ve struggled against right-handed pitchers. Phillips, who has performed admirably at home, allowing only four runs over his last two starts, will be key in keeping Miami’s offense in check. Look for the Phillies to maintain their edge and cover the run line in this matchup.
