The Cincinnati Reds (20-28) and the St. Louis Cardinals (22-28) meet Wednesday in Great American Ball Park for the 3rd game of a 4-game series. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Reds odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Cardinals evened the series with an 8-5 victory Tuesday as -137 favorites.
In Monday’s opener, the Reds snapped a 4-game losing streak with a 6-5 win in 10-innings as +167 underdogs. Cincinnati is 4-7 over its last 11 home games.
The Cardinals have won 5 of their last 7 games, including a 3-1 series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to coming to Cincinnati. St. Louis sits 4th in the NL Central.
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Cardinals at Reds projected starters
LHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Ben Lively
Matz (0-5, 5.05 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.62 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 46 1/3 innings.
- Is 5-8 in his second season with the Cardinals, following a 14-7 campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays the season prior
- The Cardinals are 2-3 in Matz’s last 5 starts.
Lively (1-2, 2.45 ERA) makes his 4th appearance and 2nd start. He has a 0.73 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 11 innings.
- Last start Friday vs. New York Yankees: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
- Has 21 starts in his 29 career appearances since 2017
- Lively has allowed just 7 hits in 11 innings.
Cardinals at Reds odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Reds +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals -1.5 (-105) | Reds +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cardinals at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 6, Reds 5
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Cardinals are just 11-13 on the road while the Reds are 13-13 at home this season. Their bullpen has performed better than expected, and it should get a good amount of action on Wednesday. The Reds are more worthy of a spread play given the value.
Run line/Against the spread
BET REDS +1.5 (-115).
The Reds are a strong 26-22 ATS this season, and they have covered in 2 of their 3 games in which Lively has started on the mound.
The Cardinals are starting a pitcher who hasn’t performed well this season, and they are just 23-27 ATS on the year. Ultimately, given the season-long trends, back the REDS +1.5 (-115).
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 10 (-115).
Both teams have consistently covered the Over. Both games in this series have hit double figures as well.
St. Louis is 27-22-1 O/U this season, and it has gone Over in 4 straight games. Cincinnati is 26-22 O/U on the season and 4-2 O/U in its last 6 games. Take the OVER 10 (-115).
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