This makeup game from Thursday's rainout presents an intriguing pitching matchup with contrasting narratives. Chris Paddack enters with a bloated 7.07 ERA and 0-4 record, having struggled mightily with command and velocity drops from his recent starts. His fastball has averaged just 87.6 mph in recent outings, down from previous seasons, while his 1.54 WHIP indicates persistent baserunner issues. Meanwhile, Andre Pallante brings a more respectable 4.04 ERA despite some control concerns (3.49 BB/9), but his recent velocity readings of 94.9 mph on the fastball and sharp slider usage give him a clear stuff advantage in today's conditions. The Cardinals' road success (15-8) contrasts sharply with Cincinnati's home struggles, though the Reds have shown offensive life recently with back-to-back strong performances against Philadelphia. Elly De La Cruz remains the x-factor with 11 home runs already, while Jordan Walker's 13 homers pace St. Louis's attack. Both bullpens face questions - Cincinnati's is decimated by injuries to Caleb Ferguson, Emilio Pagán, and others, while St. Louis may feel fatigue from the disrupted schedule. The weather conditions could favor contact over strikeouts, potentially benefiting Cincinnati's more aggressive approach. The split doubleheader format means fresh lineups, but both rotations are pushed back a day, creating subtle adjustments in preparation and timing that could influence early innings.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 3R Both struggling starters vulnerable early, Cardinals strike first

Middle (4-6) 5R Offensive surge as pitch counts climb and middle relief enters

Late (7-9) 1R Bullpens settle in, Reds manufacture late winning run

Matchup Analysis

Reds

Home field advantage in day game

Recent offensive surge (9-4, 4-1 wins)

Elly De La Cruz power threat (11 HR, 32 RBI)

Chris Paddack's 7.07 ERA struggles

Depleted bullpen with three relievers on IL

Cardinals

Better road record (15-8)

Andre Pallante's superior ERA (4.04)

Jordan Walker's consistent production (13 HR, 35 RBI)

Recent offensive slump (2 runs in last 2 games)

Bullpen fatigue from makeup game scheduling

Risk Factors

Heavy drizzle affecting grip and command

Makeup game disrupts both teams' routines

Key Matchups

Elly De La Cruz vs Andre Pallante batter Power vs finesse, De La Cruz thrives on Pallante's slider location

Jordan Walker vs Chris Paddack batter Walker's .295 average vs Paddack's command issues

JJ Bleday vs Andre Pallante batter Bleday's .299 average suggests good timing against Cardinals pitching

Statistical Edges

First to Score Cardinals 58%

Strikeouts 14 11-17

Total Runs 9 7-11

Game Preview

Game 1 of this split doubleheader begins under heavy drizzle at Great American Ball Park, with both teams adjusting to the makeup game atmosphere. Andre Pallante takes the mound first and immediately benefits from the conditions, as his slider grips better in the moisture. Jordan Walker leads off the second inning with a sharp single to right, and after a wild pitch from the struggling Chris Paddack, Walker advances to second. Victor Scott II drives him home with a two-out single, giving St. Louis an early 1-0 advantage. The Reds respond quickly in the bottom of the second when JJ Bleday doubles off the wall in left-center, then scores on Matt McLain's ground-ball single through the right side. Cincinnati breaks through for two runs in the fourth inning as Elly De La Cruz launches Pallante's hanging slider over the left field wall for his 12th homer, followed by consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly. The Cardinals answer immediately in the fifth when Pallante helps his own cause with an RBI single, then JJ Wetherholt adds a two-run double down the line to reclaim the lead 4-3. The game enters the late innings as a classic National League Central slugfest, with both bullpens working carefully in the drizzle. Cincinnati manufactures the tying run in the sixth on a walk, stolen base, and McLain's clutch RBI single. The decisive moment comes in the ninth inning when De La Cruz reaches on an infield single, steals second base with his blazing speed, and scores the winning run on Nathaniel Lowe's opposite-field single to right. The Reds walk off 5-4, taking game one of the split doubleheader as the Great American Ball Park crowd celebrates through the persistent drizzle.

The confidence level reflects the significant pitching disparity favoring St. Louis, but Cincinnati's recent offensive surge and home field advantage create enough uncertainty to prevent higher confidence. Weather conditions add an unpredictable element to both teams' approach.

Vjerojatni bacaci

A. Pallante Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
JJ Wetherholt	2B	.238	9	25	.357	.407
Iván Herrera	C	.269	6	25	.395	.441
Alec Burleson	1B	.295	7	35	.364	.468
Jordan Walker	RF	.293	14	38	.362	.569
Nolan Gorman	DH	.222	6	25	.310	.358
Masyn Winn	SS	.245	1	17	.330	.337
Bryan Torres	LF	.500	1	2	.600	1.250
César Prieto	3B	.000	0	0	.000	.000
Victor Scott II	CF	.203	2	7	.261	.276

Cincinnati Reds — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
JJ Bleday	LF	.288	6	20	.396	.613
Elly De La Cruz	SS	.284	11	32	.350	.515
Sal Stewart	DH	.259	12	34	.347	.492
Nathaniel Lowe	1B	.259	7	21	.328	.528
Eugenio Suárez	3B	.226	3	11	.301	.355
Spencer Steer	2B	.270	7	18	.340	.443
Blake Dunn	RF	.355	1	1	.412	.581
Tyler Stephenson	C	.179	3	13	.285	.285
TJ Friedl	CF	.177	2	8	.256	.259

Poentirajuće igre

▼ 2

Nathaniel Lowe homers (7) on a fly ball to right field.

0-1

▲ 3

Alec Burleson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dane Myers, deflected by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. JJ Wetherholt scores. Iván Herrera to 3rd.

1-1

▲ 3

Jordan Walker grounds into a force out, shortstop Elly De La Cruz to second baseman Spencer Steer. Iván Herrera scores. Alec Burleson out at 2nd. Jordan Walker to 1st.

2-1

▲ 4

JJ Wetherholt singles on a line drive to second baseman Spencer Steer, deflected by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Masyn Winn scores. Bryan Torres to 3rd. Victor Scott II to 2nd.

3-1

▲ 7

Jordan Walker homers (14) on a line drive to right center field. Iván Herrera scores.

5-1

▲ 8

Iván Herrera triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Blake Dunn, deflected by center fielder Dane Myers. Victor Scott II scores.

6-1

▲ 9

Bryan Torres homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field. Masyn Winn scores.

8-1

St. Louis Cardinals — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
JJ Wetherholt2B	5	1	1	1	1	1	0	.238	.764
Iván HerreraC	3	2	2	1	2	0	0	.269	.836
Alec Burleson1B	4	0	2	1	1	0	0	.295	.832
Jordan WalkerRF	5	1	1	3	0	1	1	.293	.931
Nolan GormanDH	4	0	0	0	1	1	0	.222	.668
Masyn WinnSS	4	2	1	0	1	2	0	.245	.667
Bryan TorresLF	4	1	2	2	1	0	1	.500	1.850
César Prieto3B	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000
Victor Scott IICF	4	1	3	0	1	1	0	.203	.537
Ukupno	38	8	12	8	8	7	2

BATTING

3B: Herrera (1, Franco, J).

HR: Walker, J (14, 7th inning off Phillips, 1 on, 1 out); Torres, B (1, 9th inning off Franco, J, 1 on, 1 out).

TB: Burleson 2; Herrera 4; Scott II 3; Torres, B 5; Walker, J 4; Wetherholt; Winn.

RBI: Burleson (35); Herrera (25); Torres, B 2 (2); Walker, J 3 (38); Wetherholt (25).

2-out RBI: Herrera.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Walker, J; Wetherholt.

GIDP: Herrera.

Team RISP: 4-for-10.

Team LOB: 11.

BASERUNNING

SB: Scott II (7, 2nd base off Moll/Stephenson, T); Herrera (2, 2nd base off Phillips/Stephenson, T).

FIELDING

DP: (Wetherholt-Winn-Burleson).

Cincinnati Reds — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
JJ BledayLF	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.288	1.009
Elly De La CruzSS	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.284	.865
Sal StewartDH	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	.259	.839
Nathaniel Lowe1B	4	1	1	1	0	1	1	.259	.856
Eugenio Suárez3B	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.226	.656
Spencer Steer2B	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.270	.783
Blake DunnRF	3	0	1	0	0	1	0	.355	.993
Tyler StephensonC	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.179	.570
TJ FriedlCF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.177	.515
Ukupno	28	1	2	1	3	6	1

BATTING

HR: Lowe, N (7, 2nd inning off Pallante, 0 on, 0 out).

TB: Dunn; Lowe, N 4.

RBI: Lowe, N (21).

GIDP: Stephenson, T.

Team RISP: 0-for-1.

Team LOB: 3.

FIELDING

E: Stephenson, T (1, throw).

DP: (Paddack-Stephenson, T-Lowe, N).

a-Grounded out for Myers in the 8th.

St. Louis Cardinals — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Andre Pallante(W, 5-4)	6.0	2	1	1	1	3	1	93-60	3.76
Ryne Stanek	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	19-13	6.00
George Soriano	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8-6	3.32
Matt Svanson	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	14-8	8.77

Cincinnati Reds — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Chris Paddack(L, 0-6)	5.0	7	3	3	3	5	0	84-52	6.86
Sam Moll	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	10-5	2.86
Connor Phillips	1.0	1	2	2	2	1	1	28-15	5.53
Jose Franco	2.0	3	3	3	3	1	1	54-29	5.40

Informacije o utakmici

Suci: Home Plate: Ben May; First Base: Jacob Metz; Second Base: Chris Conroy; Third Base: Brennan Miller

Stadion: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Vrijeme: 71°F, Cloudy

Vjetar: 10 mph, R To L

St. Louis Cardinals — Vijesti

Rangers Stavljaju Chrise Martina na Listu Ozlijeđenih Zbog Suženja Ramena

Texas gubi dubinu bullpena usred sezone dok sjedi na 28-31 s razlikom trčanja od +7. Povratna pozivanja Curvela (nema statistike za 2026.) i debut Ahlstroma pružaju mogućnosti, ali nijedan od njih nije uspostavio dokazanu MLB biografiju protiv sastava Cardinalsa koji se suočava s deGromom večeras.

Chris Martin

St. Louis Cardinals

Texas Rangers

Kardinali Imenuju Matta Pusharda, Pozivaju Nazad Huntera Dobbinsa

Pushard se pojavio u nula utakmica za STL prije ovog poteza, čineći ovo jednostavnom odlukom o 40-članskoj momčadi. Dobbins ulazi u rotaciju gdje su Liberatore (4,76 ERA, 1,57 WHIP) i Leahy (4,25 ERA, 1,55 WHIP) obojica iznad 4,25 ERA.

Matt Pushard

Hunter Dobbins

St. Louis Cardinals

Jimmy Crooks spreman za stabilno vrijeme igranja kao lovac

Crooks nema dostupne statistike za 2026 za procjenu ofenzivne produkcije, što ovo čini potezom dubine za STL umjesto poboljšanja—Cardinals su -10 u razlici trčanja dok sjede na 3. mjestu u NLC-u sa serijom od 4 poraza.

Jimmy Crooks

St. Louis Cardinals

Uribe Suspendiran na Jednu Utakmicu; Žalba na Čekanju

Uribe (ERA 4.19) napušta već teško poklapanu rotaciju Cardinals—Pallante (ERA 3.76) je jedini pouzdan početni bacač među četiri aktivna početna bacača, a STL je na 3. mjestu u NL Central s omjerom 29-25 i razlikom trčanja -10 prije večernje utakmice protiv Chicaga.

Abner Uribe

St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Biraju Nelsona Velázqueza, Pozivaju Jimmyja Brooksa

Velázquez ispunjava mjesto na 40-članskom rositeru koje je ostalo slobodno zbog DFA Jareda Shustera, dodajući dubinu vanjskom polju tima Cardinals s omjerom 29-25 ali 3-7 u zadnjih 10 utakmica. Niti jedan igrač nema dostupne statistike iz 2026. za procjenu neposrednog utjecaja.

Jared Shuster

Jimmy Crooks

Nelson Velázquez

St. Louis Cardinals

Cincinnati Reds — Vijesti

Reds Otpuštaju Josha Staumont'a

Odlazak Staumont'a je rutinski potez dubine za Cincinnati, koji sjedi na 31-29 s razlikom trčanja od -38 i već je rotirao nekoliko olakšavajućih igrača ove sezone.

Cincinnati Reds

Yunior Marté Bira Slobodnu Agenciju Nakon Reds DFA

Martéjevo odlazak uklanja sekundarnu dubinu iz bullpena Cincinnatija dok Red navigira s rekordom 5-4 u posljednjih 10 utakmica s rotacijom koja se već oslanja na Abbotta (4.02 ERA) dok Singer (6.18 ERA) i Paddack (6.90 ERA) nastavljaju s borbom.

Cincinnati Reds

Reds stavljaju opciju na Friedla, vraćaju Martéa

Friedl odlazi nakon što je pogodio .181/.252/.258 s xwOBA .252 u 46 utakmica, što oslobađa mjesto za Martéa u vanjskom polju Cincinnatija dok Reds sjedi na 31-29 s razlikom u trčanju od -38.

TJ Friedl

Cincinnati Reds

Redsi određuju Leibrandta i Richardsona; pozivaju McCambleya i Meya

Cincinnati (30-29, razlika -39 trčanja) čini rotaciju plićom dok Singer (ERA 6,18) i Paddack (ERA 6,90) nastavljaju s poteškoćama; McCambley i Mey stižu bez dosijea iz 2026., što ukazuje na organizacijsku beznadnost u rotaciji sa prosječnom ERA od 5,70 među pet startnih bacača.

Lyon Richardson

Cincinnati Reds

Reds stavljaju De La Cruza na listu ozlijeđenih sa naprezanjem hamstringa; Arroyo debitira na SS

Cincinnati gubi svoj primarni napadački motor (.362 xwOBA, 12 HR u 58 utakmica) usred sezone dok Reds sjedna na 30-28 s razlikom trčanja od -32. Arroyo debi popunjava poziciju ali nedostaju mu podaci MLB 2026, a rotacija ostaje slaba sa Singerom (ERA 6.18) i Paddackom (ERA 6.90) kao zamjenskim igraczima.

Elly De La Cruz