The Cincinnati Reds (57-86) and St. Louis Cardinals (84-60) continue a 5-game series Friday. The contest at Busch Stadium is slated to begin at 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 9-6
Cincinnati went into this series having lost 6 games in a row and logging a 5.54 ERA along the way. But the Reds prevailed 3-2 in Thursday’s game at Busch. Cincy got by despite going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Reds are just 2-for-their-last-19 in that department.
The Cardinals had scored 4-or-more runs in 7 of their 8 previous games heading into Thursday. The 3-2 setback marked just the 6th home loss St. Louis has endured since the All-Star break.
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Reds at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Fernando Cruz vs. RHP Jack Flaherty
The 32-year-old rookie Cruz (0-0, 1.42 ERA) will make his 2nd career start in his 7th MLB appearance – expect this to be “opener” start. He’s pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and 4 walks with 7 K’s.
- Last outing: 1 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings with 0 BB and 0 K as an opener Tuesday in the 2nd game of a home doubleheader vs. Pittsburgh
- Hasn’t allowed a run in last 4 1/3 IP over 4 appearances
Flaherty (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is tabbed for his 6th start of the season. He has a 1.89 WHIP, 7.0 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 through 18 IP.
- Has had 2 stays on the IL this season die to shoulder problems
- Owns a 2.75 ERA over his last 72 IP at home (2020-present)
Reds at Cardinals odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Reds +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Cardinals -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (+105) | Cardinals -1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Reds at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Reds 3
Money line
AVOID.
The sizable juice here is obscuring the true odds — and any profit potential — on both sides.
Run line/Against the spread
Thursday’s opener aside, both clubs tend to play in fewer 1-run games than average.
St. Louis is 6-2 over its last 8 home games against the Reds. Cincinnati’s .649 road OPS ranks 25th in the league.
Peg the Redbirds as being a slight lean here. TAKE ST. LOUIS -1.5 (-130).
Over/Under
The Under is 5-1 across the last 6 Cincinnati-St. Louis meetings. Both clubs have some real-vs.-expected batting numbers and quality-of-contact stats that point to both offenses being a bit too far over their skis.
Consider a partial-unit play on the UNDER 8.5 (-120).
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