The Cincinnati Reds (20-39) try to salvage a game against the St. Louis Cardinals (34-26) Sunday in the finale of a 3-game set at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 2:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Reds vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: The Cardinals lead the series 4-1.
The Cardinals have been victorious, 2-0 and 5-4, but they have not played well in the series. They scored 2 runs off of Reds errors Friday night, and they were down to their last out when SS Tommy Edman hit a 2-run walkoff homer Saturday. Before that, though, they lost the tying run trying to steal third with 1 out in the 8th inning, and another player was benched for poor effort.
The Reds were up 4-1 in the 8th Saturday after RHP Hunter Greene allowed 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks with 7 Ks over 5 innings. Their bullpen couldn’t hold it. It’s also cooked for this game, and they’ll need length out of a rookie starter. SS Kyle Farmer had 4 singles Saturday.
Reds at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Graham Ashcraft vs. RHP Dakota Hudson
Ashcraft (3-0, 1.14 ERA) makes his 5th career start. He has a 0.85 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 4.9 K/9 in 23 2/3 IP.
- Utilizes a cutter (98-mph average), slider, fastball (97-mph average) and sinker.
- Has a .197 BABIP, which means he’s pretty lucky on batted balls becoming outs, and that ERA might not be sustainable much longer.
- First time facing the Cardinals.
Hudson (4-2, 2.76 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 5.2 K/9 in 58 2/3 IP.
- Threw 6 2/3 shutout innings allowing 2 H, 4 BB with 4 K in April 23 victory over the Reds.
- Has 6-0 record with a 2.29 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 9 career games (8 starts) against the Reds.
- Current Reds hitters have hit just .180 with a 23.9 K% in 71 plate appearances against him.
Reds at Cardinals odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:51 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Reds +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Cardinals -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-135) | Cardinals -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Reds at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Reds 3
Money line
It’s really tempting to fade the Cards because they have trouble sweeping opponents, and their first 2 wins in the series were gifts. Hudson has been too good against the Reds, though. Ashcraft throws hard and could give the Cards trouble, but he only has 13 Ks in 23 2/3 innings, and that BABIP will regress. That said, we’re not risking twice our payout in this one. LEAN CARDINALS FIRST 9 INNINGS (incl. Tie) -160.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 6/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
I like the Reds +1.5 side, but I don’t like the idea of paying the -135 price tag for a bad team to stay within a run. The Cards haven’t played well enough to warrant the -1.5 risk either. PASS.
Over/Under
The temperature is slated to be 95 degrees with a small gust blowing out to right-center field. There is a 38% chance of rain, too, which could alter some things. The Over snuck by Saturday, but that was the first time in the last 6 games between these 2 that it cashed. Again, it’s just a lean because of the unpredictable nature of the Cards’ offense and the Reds’ starter, but LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-122).
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]