| MATCHUP | St. Louis Cardinals | Cincinnati Reds |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 28-21 | 26-24 |
| Spread | -1.5 143 | +1.5 -174 |
| Moneyline | -112 | -108 |
| Total | Over 9.5 (-111) | Under 9.5 (-108) |
| Where | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio | |
| When | Saturday, May 23, 2026 | |
| Time | 01:10 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
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.