The St. Louis Cardinals (48-44) host the Cincinnati Reds (34-55) for the 1st of a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Busch Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Reds vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: St. Louis leads 4-2, winning both previous series 2-1.
The Reds come into this series as hot as they’ve been all season, beating the Yankees in 2 of 3 following a 3-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. Cincinnati has won 6 of its last 7.
St. Louis will get a healthy dose of the Reds as they play 6 straight games, each team’s first series immediately following the All-Star break. The Cardinals have won 3 of their last 5, but just 5 of their last 15.
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Reds at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Hunter Greene vs. RHP Andre Pallante
Greene (3-10, 5.70 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 in 85 1/3 IP.
- Was impressive his last time on the mound with 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB and 9 K in a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay. The Reds are just 4-13 with Greene as the starting pitcher.
- In his 2 games against St. Louis, both losses, Greene has allowed 6 H and 4 ER in 8 1/3 IP. He has given up a league-high 22 HR.
Pallante (2-4, 3.18 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.43WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 in 65 IP.
- Making his 26th appearances this season. Has pitched against the Reds twice, allowing just 5 hits and no earned runs in 6 2/3 IP.
- First season in the big leagues after being the Cardinals 4th-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
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 11:49 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Reds +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Cardinals -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-145) | Cardinals -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Reds at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Reds 2
Money line
PASS.
If there is value on the money line, it’s backing the Reds, but with the track record Green has had this season, I’d be hesitant to back Cincinnati. St. Louis at -170 is just too pricey to consider.
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Run line/Against the spread
BET CARDINALS -1.5 (+120).
The Reds might be hot, but on the season, they are still are one of the worst road teams in the MLB. Cincinnati sits 28th in away runs and 25th in away batting average.
Couple that with St. Louis having the 6th-best home batting average, and the edge goes to the Cardinals. St. Louis is also in the top half of the league in home runs, which Greene gives up many of.
The Cardinals are 3-3 on the run line against Cincinnati this season, and at this value, backing St. Louis makes sense.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (+100).
In the 6 games these teams have played, this total would have been 4-2 with 4 of the 6 games not reaching a combined 7 runs. St. Louis is 42-46-4 O/U this season.
St. Louis has also gone under this total in 4 of the 6 games which Pallante has gone more than 3 innings. Cincinnati is 4-4 O/U over their last 8 as well, so despite being hot, it hasn’t necessarily translated to big-time games at the plate.
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