In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, June 22nd at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Reds are 39-38 this year after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 1-6 and 5-6. In their game two loss, Cincinnati led 5-2 in the eighth inning, but their bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and they failed to score in the 10th or the 11th for the loss. The Reds recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by De La Cruz, who went 2-5 with one home run and two RBIs in the loss. Cincinnati started Suter, who allowed two hits and two earned runs over 2.0 innings, while Santillan and Pagan combined to allow three earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Reds won two out of three against the Twins and two out of three against the Tigers. Cincinnati has lost three games in a row and they are currently fourth in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.91 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .234 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 356 runs with a .247 batting average and a .321 on base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with 17 home runs and 52 RBIs, while TJ Friedl has added eight home runs and 29 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Andrew Abbott, who is 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over 68.1 innings pitched this year. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 42-35 this season after they won game two by a score of 6-5 in extra innings. St. Louis led 2-0 in the first inning, but they needed three runs in the eighth/ninth inning to tie the game, before winning in the 11th. The Cardinals recorded nine hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Burleson, who went 2-5 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. St. Louis started Gray, who allowed five hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings, while Matz allowed three earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Cardinals swept the White Sox in three games, but lost three out of four against the Brewers before that. St. Louis has won five games in a row and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The St. Louis pitching staff has a 3.94 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .252 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 365 runs with a .256 batting average and a .329 on base percentage this season. Wilson Contreras has led St. Louis with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, and three stolen bases, while Nolan Arenado has added 10 home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Miles Mikolas, who is 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 72.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Reds will beat the Cardinals
The favorites have won seven of the Cardinals’ last eight games.
The Reds have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games following a loss.
The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six home games against teams that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts
Seven of the Reds’ last eight games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the last six games between the Reds and Cardinals at Busch Stadium have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Cardinals’ last seven games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Reds’ last 12 games as favorites against National League opponents.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
Nolan Arenado has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances.
Alec Burleson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last nine games.
Miles Mikolas has recorded four or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine appearances at Busch Stadium against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Alec Burleson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cardinals’ last four games against NL opponents at Busch Stadium.
Masyn Winn has scored a run in each of the Cardinals’ last five games at Busch Stadium.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in five of the Reds’ last six road games against opponents that held a winning record.
Gavin Lux has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Reds’ last four day games.
Austin Hays has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances in day games.
Elly De La Cruz has scored at least one run in six of the Reds’ last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.

Reds vs Cardinals Prediction 
St. Louis comes into this matchup looking to extend their five game winning streak and they have scored at least six runs in four of their last five games. The Cardinals are 24-14 at home this year, while the Reds are 19-21 on the road. Cincinnati has allowed at least five runs in four of their last five games, but they are starting Abbott, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts. St. Louis is going with Mikolas, who has allowed at least three earned runs in three of his last four starts. Take the Reds to get the win here. 

David Racey's Pick: Reds ML