The Cardinals host Cincinnati in a day game at Busch Stadium looking to build on their recent offensive explosion and extend their winning streak to three games. Yesterday's 10-3 thrashing of the Reds showcased St. Louis's ability to capitalize on Cincinnati's pitching struggles, and today's matchup favors them again with Matthew Liberatore facing Nick Lodolo. While Liberatore owns a respectable 4.36 ERA compared to Lodolo's concerning 5.21 mark, both southpaws have control issues that could lead to traffic on the bases. The key difference lies in the supporting cast and recent momentum. Jordan Walker continues his breakout campaign with 15 home runs and a .291 average, providing the Cardinals with legitimate middle-of-the-order production. Alec Burleson adds another consistent bat at .287 with 42 RBIs, giving St. Louis a balanced attack despite missing Lars Nootbaar. The Reds counter with Elly De La Cruz's dynamic speed-power combination (.280, 12 HR, 37 RBIs) and the recently activated Noelvi Marte, but their depleted pitching staff presents significant challenges. With Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Brandon Williamson all on the 60-day IL, plus Pierce Johnson and Emilio Pagán unavailable from the bullpen, Cincinnati's depth is severely tested. The weather conditions favor offense with 89-degree temperatures under overcast skies, though the SSW winds at 9 mph should be manageable. Both teams have struggled for consistency lately (each 4-6 in their last 10), but the Cardinals' recent offensive explosion suggests they're finding their rhythm at the right time. Cincinnati's -48 run differential tells the story of a team that struggles to prevent runs, making this a favorable spot for St. Louis to continue their momentum in front of the home crowd.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 3R Cardinals jump on Lodolo early with two-run first inning

Middle (4-6) 4R Both teams plate runs but Cardinals maintain edge

Late (7-9) 1R Bullpens settle in for quiet finish

Matchup Analysis

Cardinals

Jordan Walker's power surge (15 HR)

Riding two-game win streak

Better starting pitcher matchup

Missing Lars Nootbaar's offense

Recent inconsistency (4-6 L10)

Reds

Elly De La Cruz speed and power threat

Noelvi Marte recently activated

Nick Lodolo's 5.21 ERA struggles

Depleted pitching staff with multiple IL arms

Risk Factors

Liberatore's 1.50 WHIP could allow Reds rallies

Both teams inconsistent lately

Key Matchups

Jordan Walker vs Nick Lodolo batter Walker's power vs Lodolo's elevated ERA

Elly De La Cruz vs Matthew Liberatore batter De La Cruz can exploit Liberatore's control issues

Statistical Edges

First to Score Cardinals 72%

Strikeouts 14 12-16

Total Runs 8 6-10

Game Preview

The afternoon sun beats down on Busch Stadium as Matthew Liberatore takes the mound with confidence following his team's dominant performance yesterday. The Cardinals waste little time getting to Nick Lodolo, as Jordan Walker works a leadoff walk in the first inning before Alec Burleson drives a two-run double into the left-center gap. The early 2-0 lead energizes the home crowd and puts immediate pressure on Cincinnati's struggling starter. Lodolo settles in briefly, but the Reds answer back in the second when Elly De La Cruz beats out an infield single, steals second, and scores on a Matt McLain RBI single. The Cardinals respond in the third as JJ Wetherholt launches his eighth home run of the season into the right field bleachers. Both pitchers battle through traffic in the middle innings, with Liberatore's slider keeping Cincinnati hitters off balance despite some control issues. The game's pivotal moment comes in the sixth when the Reds mount their biggest threat, loading the bases with one out before De La Cruz drives in two runs with a clutch single to center field, making it a 4-3 Cardinals lead. St. Louis adds an insurance run in the eighth inning when Walker doubles and comes home on a wild pitch, providing the final margin in a 5-3 victory. The Cardinals' bullpen preserves the win despite some late-inning drama, as Cincinnati gets the tying run to second base in the ninth before a game-ending strikeout seals the series victory for St. Louis. The win extends their streak to three games and showcases their ability to win close games when the offense doesn't explode like it did the day before.

The 68% confidence reflects the clear pitching advantage for St. Louis with Liberatore's superior ERA and the Cardinals' recent offensive momentum. However, both teams have been inconsistent lately, and Cincinnati's dynamic players like De La Cruz can change games quickly, preventing higher confidence in what should be a competitive divisional matchup.

Sannsynlige pitchere

N. Lodolo Reds

3-2 4.60 ERA

50 K

M. Liberatore Cardinals

5-6 5.00 ERA

88 K

Cincinnati Reds — Tropp

Spiller	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Will Benson	PH	.200	3	6	.327	.356
JJ Bleday	DH	.282	10	28	.371	.588
Spencer Steer	1B	.271	9	24	.352	.453
Sal Stewart	3B	.257	12	39	.350	.464
Edwin Arroyo	2B	.200	0	0	.333	.200
Blake Dunn	LF	.306	2	5	.352	.447
Noelvi Marte	RF	.167	0	0	.250	.167
Matt McLain	SS	.200	6	23	.299	.337
Nathaniel Lowe	PH	.241	9	25	.320	.504

St. Louis Cardinals — Tropp

Spiller	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Masyn Winn	SS	.236	2	24	.318	.322
Iván Herrera	DH	.259	7	28	.381	.409
Jordan Walker	RF	.301	16	46	.362	.559
Nelson Velázquez	LF	.353	1	4	.421	.588
Alec Burleson	1B	.291	8	43	.358	.456
José Fermín	3B	.250	2	10	.315	.388
Bryan Torres	2B	.229	1	3	.308	.371
Lars Nootbaar	CF	.429	1	3	.500	1.000
Jimmy Crooks	C	.214	0	2	.313	.286

Scoringer

▼ 2

Victor Scott II singles on a fly ball to right fielder Noelvi Marte. Alec Burleson scores. José Fermín to 3rd. Bryan Torres to 2nd.

0-1

▼ 2

Masyn Winn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dane Myers. José Fermín scores. Bryan Torres scores. Victor Scott II to 3rd.

0-3

▲ 3

JJ Bleday reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Alec Burleson. Noelvi Marte scores. Matt McLain scores. Dane Myers to 3rd. JJ Bleday to 2nd.

2-3

▲ 3

Spencer Steer out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Nelson Velázquez. Dane Myers scores.

3-3

▲ 4

Matt McLain homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Blake Dunn scores.

5-3

▼ 5

Jordan Walker homers (16) on a fly ball to right center field.

5-4

▼ 8

Lars Nootbaar homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field. José Fermín scores.

5-6

Cincinnati Reds — Batting

Spiller	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Will BensonPH	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.200	.683
JJ BledayDH	5	0	1	1	0	0	0	.282	.959
Spencer Steer1B	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	.271	.805
Sal Stewart3B	5	0	0	0	0	2	0	.257	.814
Edwin Arroyo2B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200	.533
Blake DunnLF	4	1	3	0	0	0	0	.306	.799
Noelvi MarteRF	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.167	.417
Matt McLainSS	3	2	1	2	1	0	1	.200	.636
Nathaniel LowePH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.241	.824
Totalt	35	5	9	4	4	6	1

BATTING

2B: Dunn (4, Soriano, G).

HR: McLain, M (6, 4th inning off Liberatore, 1 on, 2 out).

TB: Benson; Bleday; Dunn 4; Marte, N; McLain, M 4; Myers 2.

RBI: Bleday (28); McLain, M 2 (23); Steer (24).

2-out RBI: McLain, M 2.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Suárez, E 2; Marte, N; Stewart, S 3.

SF: Steer.

GIDP: Higgins, P.

Team RISP: 2-for-13.

Team LOB: 8.

BASERUNNING

SB: Dunn (3, 2nd base off Liberatore/Pagés, P); Myers (3, 2nd base off Liberatore/Pagés, P); Bleday (2, 2nd base off O'Brien/Crooks).

FIELDING

E: Suárez, E (2, throw).

DP: 2 (Suárez, E-Steer-Stewart, S; Stewart, S-Higgins, P-Stewart, S).

a-Struck out for Higgins, P in the 9th.

b-Singled for Myers in the 9th.

St. Louis Cardinals — Batting

Spiller	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Masyn WinnSS	5	0	2	2	0	2	0	.236	.640
Iván HerreraDH	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.259	.790
Jordan WalkerRF	4	1	2	1	0	2	1	.301	.921
Nelson VelázquezLF	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.353	1.009
Alec Burleson1B	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	.291	.814
José Fermín3B	4	2	3	0	0	0	0	.250	.703
Bryan Torres2B	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.229	.679
Lars NootbaarCF	1	1	1	2	1	0	1	.429	1.500
Jimmy CrooksC	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.214	.599
Totalt	34	6	12	6	2	7	2

BATTING

HR: Walker, J (16, 5th inning off Lodolo, 0 on, 1 out); Nootbaar (1, 8th inning off Moll, 1 on, 1 out).

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

RBI: Nootbaar 2 (3); Scott II (9); Walker, J (46); Winn 2 (24).

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Winn 2; Torres, B.

SAC: Torres, B.

GIDP: Crooks; Herrera.

Team RISP: 4-for-10.

Team LOB: 7.

BASERUNNING

SB: Walker, J (10, 2nd base off Lodolo/Higgins, P); Fermín (2, 3rd base off Antone/Higgins, P); Torres, B (1, 2nd base off Antone/Higgins, P).

FIELDING

E: Burleson (5, fielding).

DP: (Torres, B-Burleson).

a-Intentionally walked for Pagés, P in the 6th.

b-Grounded into a double play for Scott II in the 6th.

Cincinnati Reds — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Nick Lodolo	5.0	9	4	4	1	3	1	95-70	5.51
Tejay Antone(H, 1)	1.2	1	0	0	1	2	0	20-15	3.75
Sam Moll(L, 1-4)(BS, 3)	1.0	2	2	2	0	1	1	19-14	2.96
Tony Santillan	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	6-3	6.56

St. Louis Cardinals — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Matthew Liberatore	4.1	4	5	3	3	4	1	84-47	4.48
Gordon Graceffo	1.2	2	0	0	0	1	0	24-13	1.67
Ryne Stanek	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6-5	4.97
George Soriano(W, 3-0)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	12-8	2.81
Riley O'Brien(S, 16)	1.0	2	0	0	1	1	0	23-13	3.81

Kampinfo

Dommere: Home Plate: Ben May; First Base: John Tumpane; Second Base: Brennan Miller; Third Base: Chris Conroy

Stadion: Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Vær: 85°F, Partly Cloudy

Vind: 9 mph, R To L

Cincinnati Reds — Nyheter

Tyler Stephenson driver Reds med to homeruns i seier over Rockies

Stephenson gikk 3-av-4 med 2 homeruns og 3 RBI, men sesongstatistikken hans forblir svak på .238 gjennomsnitt med .328 xwOBA over 74 kamper——utbruddet er et unntak mot en Rockies-rotasjon som viser en løpsdifferensial på -87.

Tyler Stephenson

Cincinnati Reds

Colorado Rockies

Hunter Goodman slår tre homeruns mot Reds

Goodman (gjennomsnitt 0.251, xwOBA 0.331, 124 strikeouts på 91 kamper) kom seg ut av en dårlig periode med denne utbruddet, men hans strikeout-rate på 531 og xBA på 0.236 tyder på at prestasjonen med tre homeruns er et unntak snarere enn en trendendring for Colorados slitende lag.

Hunter Goodman

Cincinnati Reds

Colorado Rockies

Reds søker handler for utgåtte kontrakter

Cincinnati har en rekord på 44-52 med en løpdifferanse på -55 og må flytte leieposter for å tilbakestille for 2027. Burns (2,54 ERA, 118 K, 11-1) er den eneste førstelinjestarteren som er verdt å opprettholde; Abbott (4,11 ERA), Singer (4,56 ERA, 4-9) og Lodolo (4,60 ERA) representerer omsettelig dybde i en overfull, dårlig fungerende rotasjon.

Cincinnati Reds

Jose Trevino slår to hjemmekjøringer i Reds-tap mot Rockies

Trevino slår .239/.243/.328 med bare 1 hjemmekjøring på 25 kamper, så eksplosjonen av to hjemmekjøringer er heller en statistisk anomali enn et vendepunkt for Cincinnatis kranglete oppstilling.

Jose Trevino

Cincinnati Reds

Colorado Rockies

Reds og Chase Burns Blir Enige om Syvårsforlengelse på $105 Millioner

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Chase Burns

Cincinnati Reds

St. Louis Cardinals — Nyheter

Rays bytter Trey Pooser til Cardinals

Pooser er en minor league-spiller som fullfører Chris Roycroft-byttet fra forrige måned; Roycrofts ERA på 15,19 og WHIP på 3,94 i Tampa Bay indikerer at handelen ikke favoriserer noen av konkurrentene. Cardinals (50-45, -6 poengdifferanse) og Rays (56-38, +32 poengdifferanse) håndterer organisatorisk dybde snarere enn å påvirke dagens playoff-posisjonering.

Chris Roycroft

St. Louis Cardinals

Tampa Bay Rays

Cardinals Plasserer JoJo Romero på IL Med Blindtarmbetennelse; Scott Blewett Kalt Opp

Romero (3.35 ERA, 9.00 K/9, 43 SO på 44 G) var STL sitt mest pålitelige reliever ifølge xwOBA (.337), som etterlater et bullpen ledet av Graceffo (2.91 ERA, .364 xwOBA) som hovedalternativ for sluttspurten. Blewetts forfremmelse fra Triple-A og Pozos DFA (.242 AVG, .244 xwOBA på 18 G) signaliserer rossurbegrensninger for et 50-45 lag som ligger på tredjeplass i NLC.

JoJo Romero

Scott Blewett

St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Postkasse: Cardinals, Pirates, Mariners, Mets og Prospekters Spørsmål

En generisk postkasse som dekker flere lag uten spesifikke lagendringer eller ytelsesdata å analysere.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Seattle Mariners

St. Louis Cardinals

Diamondbacks tilbakekaller Tyler Locklear fra Triple-A

Locklear ankommer uten MLB-statistikk for 2026, noe som tyder på en dybde-/skadeerstatning. Arizona aktiverte tilbakekallingen før fredagens kamp mot Cardinals som en rosterendring i stedet for en prestasjonsbasert forfremmelse.

Tyler Locklear

St. Louis Cardinals

Andre Halvdel Begynner: Fire Lag i NL Central Når 50+ Seire

Milwaukee (59-37, poengforskjell +126) leder en fulladet divisjon hvor Brewers, Cubs (54-42, +52), Cardinals (50-45, +6) og Pirates (50-47, +44) alle har nådd 50 seire - det dypeste talentbassenget i NL Central i 2026.

Pittsburgh Pirates

St. Louis Cardinals