The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals will start a three-game series on Friday to finish the 2023 regular season. The Cincinnati Reds are still alive, but just barely.
The Reds are 81-78 on the season, currently on the outside looking in on Chicago and Miami for the final wildcard spot in the National League. Cincinnati will likely need to win all three of these games and hope for some help from other teams against the Cubs and Marlins.
The St. Louis Cardinals are 69-90 on the season and have been one of the most disappointing teams in all of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals will finish last in the National League Central.
We should be in for one of the better MLB games today. Let’s take a look at the most up-to-date Reds vs Cardinals odds, and give our picks for the game.
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Here are the updated Reds vs Cardinals odds for the game:
- Moneyline: Cincinnati Reds -120, St. Louis Cardinals +100
- Total: 8.5
- Runline: Cincinnati Reds -1.5 (+135), St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-160)
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Information
Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals
Date & Time: Friday September 29th, 2023; 7:15pm CST
Location of the game: Busch Stadium; St. Louis, MO
Where to Watch: BSMW
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
Cincinnati’s Playoff Hopes
The Cincinnati Reds are sending Brandon Williamson to the mound in this game. Williamson is 4-5 on the season, with a 4.54 earned run average. The 25-year-old has thrown 111 innings and struck out 96 batters on the season.
Williamson last pitched on September 24th against the Pirates. It was his 21st start of the season. In that game, he went 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and two runs.
The St. Louis Cardinals will counter with Jake Woodford. Woodford is 2-2 on the season with a 5.09 earned run average. He is making his 7th start of the season. The last time he pitched was on September 23rd out of the bullpen. In that game, Woodford threw 3.2 innings, allowing four hits and a single run.
Cincinnati had a tough series against the Twins and followed it with a tough series against the Pirates, with four straight losses. A 4-3 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday was another tough loss to keep them back in the wildcard. Cincinnati can score, as they are 10th in the league in runs scored, but the pitching has been poor, with a 4.79 earned run average.
Promising Signs for the Cincinnati Reds
Rookie Elly De La Cruz has been up and down all season but had a big game earlier this week against Cleveland. He clubbed two home runs and drove in four runs. The top offensive threats for the Reds this season have been TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer.
Friedl is hitting .279, while Steer has recorded 22 home runs and drove in 85 runs. The Cincinnati Reds schedule comes to an end, but seeing them finish .500 or above was a positive sign for David Bell’s squad.
The Cardinals are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Brewers on Thursday, which was their third loss in four games. The Cardinals have scored just eight runs over their last four games combined. St. Louis is without both Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras, who had their seasons ended with injuries.
Leading the St. Louis offensive attack will be Paul Goldschmidt. The MVP of a season ago is hitting .267. Maysyn Winn and Jordan Walker are the future of the St. Louis offense. Wynn has played in 34 games and has struggled, with a .162 average. His MLB MVP odds are not looking good.
Walker picked up over 400 at bats this season and has clubbed 16 home runs. The St. Louis Cardinals game today will see several guys in the lineup who will likely not be with the team next year.
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Betting Picks
When looking at the Reds vs Cardinals odds, the bet to make here is the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds are going to be playing for more than the Cardinals. Take Cincinnati -1.5 (+135) over St. Louis.
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