Reds vs Cardinals predictions
If you’re keeping an eye on the Cincinnati Reds in this opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, there are a few bats absolutely worth watching. Elly De La Cruz continues to look like a game-changer—don’t be surprised if he comes through with a multi-hit game, possibly adding a homer and a steal to his stat line. TJ Friedl’s been quietly consistent, too, and with his knack for finding his way on base, I could see him notching a pair of hits and making things happen on the basepaths. With Will Benson and Jake Fraley rounding out the lineup and both capable of getting on base and swiping bags, the Reds’ offense definitely feels like it has sneaky potential to kickstart some rallies early in this one.
Now flipping over to the St. Louis Cardinals, Brendan Donovan’s been straight-up raking lately, so it’s hard not to pencil him in for at least a couple hits tonight. Add in the consistent bat of Alec Burleson—who could easily notch a hit or two and drive in a run—and you’ve got the makings of a lineup that can string together big innings. Nolan Arenado, even if he’s not mashing homers every night, always threatens to drive one into the gap, and with Willson Contreras flashing his power and run-producing ways, the Cardinals’ order looks just as dangerous. If you’re a fan of solid contact and smart baseball, this St. Louis club tends to deliver at home, especially with Masyn Winn’s ability to spark the lineup from the lower third.
So, who’s got the edge in this NL Central showdown? Looking at both squads, the Cardinals seem to have a slight advantage, especially playing at Busch Stadium where their offense tends to shine—and with Andre Pallante on the bump, that only boosts their chances. But hey, the Reds have shown they’re scrappy and never really out of a game. Still, the safe money feels like it’s on St. Louis pulling out a close one in what should be a tight, back-and-forth series opener. What do you think—are the Cardinals primed to defend home turf, or will the Reds steal the show?
