NL Central rivals are set to clash once more in their final series of the season, with the Cincinnati Reds (70-75, 4th NL Central) facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals (72-71, 3rd NL Central). The opening game of this three-game series took place on Tuesday night (Note: This article was published before Tuesday’s results). Cincinnati recently secured a makeup game victory against the Braves, while St. Louis entered the matchup after a day off, having lost two of three games at home against the Mariners. The Reds currently lead the season series against the Cardinals, holding a 6-4 advantage. Cincinnati has yet to announce their starting pitcher, whereas St. Louis plans to start Lance Lynn (4.06 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:45 EST from Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Cincinnati’s Narrow Victory in Makeup Game
The Cincinnati Reds faced an unexpected challenge on Monday as they played a makeup game, squeezing it into what was meant to be a day off. The contest proved to be a pitching duel, culminating in a slim 1-0 victory for the Reds. Nick Martinez showcased exceptional skill on the mound, retiring 17 consecutive batters and completing seven innings while allowing only two hits. Although Cincinnati remains out of playoff contention, they can take pride in their efforts, particularly their 1.5-game lead over the last-place Pirates in the NL Central.
Reds manager David Bell praised Martinez’s performance after the game, highlighting his efficiency: “He’s been doing it all year for us, but on a night when we needed him to step up, he did exactly that. I heard he only threw one first-pitch ball, which is just amazing. I don’t know how often that happens.” The lone run of the game came from an RBI-double by Ty France in the second inning. France, batting fifth, now has 12 home runs and 44 RBIs this season. Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz struggled, finishing 0-3 with three strikeouts, but still leads the team with 23 home runs and tops the league in stolen bases with 62. Spencer Steer, who led off, boasts 19 home runs and a team-high 86 RBIs this season.
Cincinnati has yet to confirm their starter for the upcoming game, a situation they have faced throughout the season. With three of their top four pitchers—Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo—on the injured list, the team has had to adapt quickly. Despite these hurdles, the Reds have performed admirably, winning six of their last eight games. They currently rank 16th in Major League Baseball with a team ERA of 4.08.
Cardinals Stumble Against Mariners
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a challenging position, as hopes for postseason play are dwindling. With fewer than 20 games left in the season, the team is 6.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot, trailing behind the Braves and Cubs. Their recent performance against the Mariners, where they lost two of three games at home, has added to their struggles. In their last game against Seattle, Jordan Walker provided a late spark with a two-run double in the eighth inning, but the Cardinals still fell short, losing 10-4.
Walker, a 22-year-old outfielder, has been granted more playing time as the Cardinals assess their future without a playoff berth. He batted seventh in the lineup, struggling with a .180 batting average over 32 games this season. Another young talent, Masyn Winn, performed well on Monday, earning a hit and maintaining a .273 batting average, tied for the team’s best, along with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs. Alec Burleson also shares this batting average and has contributed significantly with 21 home runs and a team-high 73 RBIs from the designated hitter position. Veteran Paul Goldschmidt rounds out the lineup, also hitting 21 home runs while maintaining a .244 average.
Lance Lynn is expected to take the mound for his 22nd start of the season. The 37-year-old right-hander is returning from a 15-day stint on the injured list due to a knee issue. In his most recent appearance, he pitched five innings against the Rangers, surrendering just one earned run in a winning effort. Lynn has helped the team secure victories in four of his last five starts, sporting a 4.06 ERA, 60 strikeouts, and 20 walks, while allowing six home runs throughout the season.
Best Bets for Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The outcome of this game will heavily hinge on pitching performance, and the Reds are facing challenges in this area with their roster. While Nick Martinez excelled against Atlanta, he is unable to start in this matchup, and the absence of their top three pitchers intensifies the concern. Cincinnati ranks 16th in team ERA, indicating struggles within their bullpen. In contrast, the Cardinals are sending out Lance Lynn, who, despite his recent injury, was performing well prior to his time on the injured list. His last four starts resulted in victories, allowing only three runs combined. Lynn has faced the Reds twice this season, posting a remarkable 0.75 ERA, with just one run allowed over 12 innings pitched, while Cincinnati batters have managed a mere .167 average against him.
