St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction 5/23/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Cardinals vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, May 23rd in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 26-24 record this season and are sitting in the fourth place of the NL Central. They have a 13-11 home record and are coming off a 9-4 home win against the Phillies. They will face the Mets and the Braves next.

The Reds have a .229 batting average this season, .312 OBP and .394 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.71 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .290 batting average. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 34, adding a team-high 12 home runs.

Chris Paddack (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 0-5 record, 7.07 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.

St. Louis Cardinals Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals have a 28-21 record this season and are sitting in the second place of the NL Central. They have a 15-8 away record and are coming off a 6-2 road loss against the Pirates. They will face the Brewers and the Cubs next.

The Cardinals have a .240 batting average this season, .320 OBP and .389 Slugging percentage. St. Louis’ pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Jordan Walker is the team’s best hitter with a .295 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 35 and adding a team-high 13 home runs.

Andre Pallante (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals, and he has a 4-4 record, 4.04 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: May 23, 2026: Game 1

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Chris Paddack      Record this season: 0-5      ERA: 7.07
• Home Record: 0-3
• Last 5 against Cardinals: 1-2

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have lost each of their last five day games against National League opponents.
• The Reds have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six day games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have lost the first inning in three of their last four day games.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last five home day games.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Andre Pallante      Record this season: 4-4      ERA: 4.04
• Road Record: 3-0
• Last 5 against Reds: 1-4

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have won seven of their last eight road games following a loss.
• 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 seven of their last eight day games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Reds have lost the first inning in three of their last four games.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games at Great American Ball Park against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three road games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last six home games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cardinals’ last four road games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the last eight games between the Cardinals and Reds.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last four day games.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Chris Paddack has recorded four or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances in day games.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 16 games against NL opponents.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances against the Cardinals after not playing the previous day.
• Sal Stewart is one of only two players to record 10+ Home Runs and 10+ Stolen Bases this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Alec Burleson has hit a home run in four of the Cardinals’ last 14 games against NL opponents.
• Masyn Winn has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven road appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Jordan Walker ranks 7th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.563) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Reds rank 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (231).
• The Reds rank 27th in the league for hits this season (384).
• The Cardinals rank 30th in the league for strikeouts this season (358).
• The Cardinals rank T29th in the league for triples this season (2).

Cardinals vs Reds Prediction

The Reds are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Cardinals but are 1-2 in their last three visits in Cincinnati.

In this Cardinals vs Reds Prediction, the Reds are coming as -125 home favorites. The Cardinals have the pitching edge as Andre Pallante goes up against a struggling Chris Paddack. Paddack has been atrocious at home with a 15.88 home ERA and was torched in his previous start against the Cardinals this season with 5 earned runs. Pallante is coming off a quality start and the Cardinals are better against right-handed pitching and a very good road team, so I expect them to bounce back and win this one on the road.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: St. Louis Cardinals ML