The Cincinnati Reds can only play spoiler at this point of the season and there’s a good chance they can ding the Cardinals’ playoff hopes just a bit on Friday night because ace Luis Castillo is on the mound. Castillo has been great vs. St. Louis this year and Cincinnati is favored on the MLB Odds.
How to Bet Cardinals at Reds MLB Spread & Game Info
- When: Friday, 7:10 PM ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Adam Wainwright/Luis Castillo
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: SiriusXM
- MLB Spread: Cincinnati Reds -1.5 (Total 9)
Brewers vs Nationals MLB Lines & Game Preview
Weather Forecast
- Mostly Cloudy: 29°C/84°F
- Humidity: 50%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 68%
- Wind: 6 mph SW
- Stadium Type: Open
Why Bet on St. Louis?
A total of 21 of the Cardinals next 27 games until September 12 are against opponents with records of .500 or below, sporting a combined .452 winning percentage (324-393). This season, St. Louis is 32-20 (.615) when facing teams with a losing record. Randy Arozarena went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his major-league debut against the Royals on Wednesday. Arozarena recorded his first major-league hit with an RBI infield single in the seventh inning. He also singled in the ninth inning to record his first multi-hit effort. The 24-year-old infielder posted a.349/.435/.547 triple-slash line with 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 80 games between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis this year.
The Cards’ Adam Wainwright (8-8) allowed one run on six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts across six innings while earning a victory against the Pirates on Saturday. The veteran right-hander gave up a solo homer to the first batter he faced, but that was it the rest of the night. Wainwright only allowed seven more baserunners and held the Pirates to 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
His fastball velocity averaged 91 mph and topped out at 93, which is slightly higher than his average for the season at 89 mph. After missing the majority of the 2018 season with elbow problems, the velocity uptick is a sign Wainwright is healthy.
“We always talk a little more velocity but it’s really about his pitchability, and he’s been able to have both,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “I think Waino always has the gas down pretty firmly. I think he’s always in high-competitive mode.”
The 37-year-old owns a 4.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 120 innings this season. In 11 home starts this season, Wainwright is 6-2 with a 2.19 ERA. On the road, he’s 2-6 with a 6.96 ERA in 11 starts. Wainwright needs seven wins to reach 163 for his career & tie Bob Forsch (1974-88) for 3rd all-time in Cardinals history.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.46
- Hits: 8.18
- Walks: 3.18
- Strike Outs: 8.58
- Runs: 4.25
- Hits: 8.06
- Walks: 3.36
- Strike Outs: 8.62
Why Bet on Cincinnati?
Infielder/outfielder Derek Dietrich, who has been on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 5 with left shoulder inflammation, was eligible to return on Thursday. But after meeting with the medical staff, manager David Bell said Dietrich wouldn’t be ready for activation. There wasn’t a setback for Dietrich, however.
Stellar rookie Aristides Aquino hit his ninth homer Wednesday in a blowout loss to the Nationals. He welcomed Javy Guerra with a homer in the seventh to narrow the Nationals’ lead to 17-4 and he later singled and scored again off Guerra in the ninth. He’s the first player in history with nine homers through 14 big-league games.
The record had belonged to the Rockies’ Trevor Story, who had eight homers in his first 14 career games in 2016. On Monday, Aquino set an MLB record by hitting his eighth homer in 12 career games.
Luis Castillo (11-4) gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight through 6.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Sunday. Castillo looked to be cruising until running into trouble in the seventh inning, eventually leading to his exit and a loss for the Reds. After dominating with his changeup in his last start, he collected another 10 swinging strikes and threw his changeup more than any other pitch. Castillo has a 2.69 ERA and 172 strikeouts through 24 starts this season.
Castillo has fared quite well this season vs. St. Louis, with a 1.50 ERA in two starts while walking five and striking out 12 in 12 innings. Over his last two starts vs. the Angels and the Cubs, he has 21 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.58
- Hits: 8.44
- Walks: 2.91
- Strike Outs: 8.62
- Runs: 4.36
- Hits: 8.10
- Walks: 3.39
- Strike Outs: 9.55
Cardinals vs Reds MLB Betting Trends
- Reds are 5-0 in Castillo’s last 5 starts vs. Cardinals
- Over is 5-1 in Wainwright’s last 6 starts vs. Reds
- Cardinals are 16-5 in the last 21 meetings in Cincinnati
- Cardinals are 13-6 SU in their last 19 games against an opponent in the National League
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis’ last 5 games on the road
- Reds are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cincinnati’s last 12 games played in August
Expert Final Score Prediction for Cardinals vs Reds
St. Louis Cardinals 2 – Cincinnati Reds 3
