Cardinals vs Reds Prediction 8/18/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 18th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 64-62 this year after they split the doubleheader on Monday by scores of 2-1 and 5-6. In game two, St. Louis led 4-1 in the sixth inning and 5-4 in the eighth, but they allowed one run in the ninth and one in the tenth in the loss. The Cardinals recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Herrera, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Pallante allowed 10 hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Bruihl picked up the loss in relief. Prior to this series, St. Louis won two out of three against the Cubs and two out of three against the Phillies. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.03 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .252 opponent batting average, while they have scored 555 runs with a .241 batting average and a .317 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added 21 home runs and 92 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Kyle Leahy, who is 9-4 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 117.1 innings pitched this year. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 60-65 this season after they won game two on Monday night by a score of 6-5. Cincinnati led 1-0 in the first inning, but they needed a big rally in the later innings, before winning in the 10th. The Reds recorded 13 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Rodriguez, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Lowder allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 6.2 innings, while Pagan picked up the win in relief. Prior to this series, Cincinnati lost two out of three against the Marlins, but did win two out of three against the White Sox before that. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.49 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while they have scored 509 runs with a .227 batting average and a .306 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 26 home runs and 91 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 20 home runs and 57 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Andrew Abbott, who is 6-7 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 133.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last six games as road favorites against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The underdogs have won eight of the Cardinals’ last 10 games at Great American Ball Park.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in 23 of their last 24 games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as home underdogs against the Cardinals.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last five games after going to extra innings.
• The Cardinals have won each of their last four games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games following a win.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last three games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Cardinals’ last seven games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Reds’ last six games as underdogs against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of Kyle Leahy’s last nine appearances as a starter.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in four of the Reds’ last five games against NL Central opponents.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Dane Myers has hit a home run in each of the Reds’ last two games against the Cardinals.
• Sal Stewart has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 11 night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Andrew Abbott has recorded three or more strikeouts in each of his last eight appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Nathan Church has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances after playing the previous day.
• Kyle Leahy has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against NL opponents.
• Pedro Pages has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances at Great American Ball Park.

Cardinals vs Reds Prediction 

Cincinnati was able to snap their three game losing streak with a win on Monday night, but they have scored one run in three of their last five games. The Reds are 31-34 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 32-28 on the road. St. Louis has won three of their last four games and they have scored 5+ runs in three of those four. The Cardinals are starting Leahy, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts, while Abbott has allowed 3+ earned runs in three straight starts. Take the Cardinals to win here.

David Racey's Pick: Cardinals ML