As the 2024 MLB season draws to a close, the NL Central rivals are set for their final series on Tuesday. The Cincinnati Reds (69-75; 33-36 away) will face off against the St. Louis Cardinals (72-71; 37-34 home) at Busch Stadium. Currently, the Reds lead the season series 6-4, having won the last three matchups. The game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. EST, and the Cardinals are eager to turn the tide. Can they do it?
Cincinnati’s Vision for the Future
The young Reds squad showed promise this year, yet they fell short of postseason aspirations. The situation worsened as the pitching rotation faced injuries, pushing Cincinnati to adapt quickly. This has paved the way for Rhett Lowder to take the mound for his third start. In his initial 10.1 MLB innings, Lowder has allowed just one run. However, he struggles with walks, having issued four in each of his previous outings. He aims to tighten his control, while the Reds’ bullpen, which ranks sixth in WAR, stands ready to support him. The question remains: can they maintain their winning streak against the Cardinals?
Offensively, Cincinnati averages 4.45 runs per game, placing them 15th in the league, which is competitive but not imposing. Interestingly, they perform better on the road. Their lineup is particularly dangerous on the bases, boasting the second-most stolen bases (189) and the fourth-highest stolen-base percentage. While they rank 13th in walk rate and home runs, they struggle with a batting average that sits at 26th and a strikeout rate of 24th. These statistics contribute to their 22nd ranking in on-base percentage and 17th in slugging percentage. Will they capitalize on the Cardinals’ mistakes, or will they falter again?
St. Louis Struggling for Relevance
The Cardinals still cling to a wild-card berth, but they need to win most of their remaining games to stay in contention. Currently, their offense averages 4.14 runs per game, ranking 24th in the majors. They also sit at 22nd in walk rate, stolen bases, and home runs. Their strikeout rate is 11th, while they rank 13th in batting average, 15th in on-base percentage, and 21st in slugging percentage. Overall, the Cardinals have not been impressive at the plate. Is there enough time for them to find their rhythm?
On the pitching side, St. Louis faces challenges with an inconsistent rotation. Andre Pallante will take the mound on Tuesday and has been effective against the Reds, delivering two scoreless outings earlier this season. He has allowed seven hits and six walks over 11.1 innings against them. This season, Pallante holds a 4.07 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, and a 1.358 WHIP. St. Louis does have a bullpen that ranks ninth in FIP and ERA, which could offer some relief. How will they fare against Cincinnati this week?
Key Injuries – Willson Contreras (out)
Betting Insights for Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Throughout the season, St. Louis has struggled offensively against Cincinnati, failing to score more than three runs in four consecutive matchups. Cincinnati’s rookie pitcher has given up just one run so far, making it difficult for St. Louis to find momentum. Their reliable bullpen is also expected to hold strong.
On the flip side, Cincinnati has managed to score an average of 4.60 runs against the Cardinals. Their speed on the bases provides them with scoring opportunities, contrasting with the slower, more methodical approach of St. Louis. It could be a close game, but the Reds are likely to find success against Pallante and secure a victory.
