| MATCHUP | St. Louis Cardinals | Cincinnati Reds |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 28-21 | 26-24 |
| Spread | -1.5 153 | +1.5 -186 |
| Moneyline | +101 | -122 |
| Total | Over 9.5 (-107) | Under 9.5 (-112) |
| Where | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio | |
| When | Friday, May 22, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:40 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds meet Friday in MLB action at Great American Ball Park. Here’s a St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction. This article will include a St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 28-21 on the year and play the Cubs and Brewers next. The St. Louis Cardinals are batting .240 on the season and have a .320 OBP, and a .389 slugging percentage. The St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Alec Burleson leads the St. Louis Cardinals with 54 hits and 34 RBI while Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera have combined for 102 hits and 59 RBI.
Kyle Leahy gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 5-3 with a 3.94 ERA and 34 strikeouts this season. Leahy is 0-0 with a 6.30 ERA and 7 strikeouts in his career against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Reds are 26-24 on the year and play the Mets and Braves next. The Cincinnati Reds are batting. 229 on the season, have a .312 OBP, and have a .394 slugging percentage. The Cincinnati Reds pitching staff has a 4.71 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz leads the Cincinnati Reds with 58 hits and 32 RBI, while Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer have combined for 97 hits and 52 RBI.
Chris Paddack gets the ball for the Cincinnati Reds, and he is 0-5 with a 7.07 ERA and 30 strikeouts this season. Paddack is 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Why the Cincinnati Reds will win
- The Reds have won each of their last nine games at Great American Ball Park against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cardinals have lost each of their last four night games at Great American Ball Park following a loss.
- The Reds have covered the run line in 11 of their last 12 night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games at Great American Ball Park following a loss.
- The Reds have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games at Great American Ball Park against opponents that held a winning record.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Cardinals have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Reds have lost each of their last seven games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games following a loss.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven home games against NL Central opponents.
- The Reds have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four night games at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Reds’ last six games as favorites against National League opponents has gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Cardinals’ last four road games against National League opponents has gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last seven games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last four night games.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Spencer Steer has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Cardinals after not playing the previous day.
- Chris Paddack has recorded four or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with his team as a home favorite against NL opponents.
- Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 12 games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Elly De La Cruz ranks 7th in the league in Hits (58) this season.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Alec Burleson has hit a home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three night games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Masyn Winn has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Jordan Walker ranks 8th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.563) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Reds rank 27th in the league for batting average this season (.229).
- The Reds are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.
- The Cardinals rank 26th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.257).
- The Cardinals rank T24th in the league for hits allowed this season (432).
St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction
The Cardinals have done enough winning this season and have played some of their best ball on the road. A pick ’em price is disrespectful, especially when you consider Paddack is on the mound. Paddack has been arguably the worst pitcher in baseball this season and was just DFA by the Marlins. In his last 7.2 innings, he’s allowed 12 hits and 9 runs. Through 35.2 innings, Paddack has a 7.07 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and is allowing a .305 batting average. I don’t care who is on the other side. I’m fading, Paddack. Give me the Cards.