These two National League Central rivals face off for what could be their most important games of the season.
The Reds and Cardinals are two and four and a half games out of the last Wild Card position, respectively. Three straight losses for the Cardinals have dented their postseason aspirations, but they could turn it all around with a convincing win here.
Before making your Reds vs Cardinals predictions on the MLB odds, both of these sides must be meticulously analyzed. The baseball odds expect a very tight series in St. Louis, making both teams viable options for your Cardinals vs Reds predictions.
There are fewer than three weeks left in the MLB regular season, and this pivotal series will go a long way in deciding who will be playing October baseball and who won’t.
Let’s get right into your Reds vs Cardinals predictions for this three-game series.
Series Introduction
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
- Dates: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, September 15th-17th, 2025
- First Pitch Times: 7:45 PM EST on Monday and Tuesday, 1:15 PM EST on Wednesday
- Venue: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri
Series Preview
It all comes down to this. September baseball can be just as exciting as the playoff baseball that follows it, and the sportsbook MLB odds expect a very close series.
The best player on the field for either team this season has been Elly De La Cruz, who has been electric all over the diamond. His 19 home runs, 34 steals, and 82 RBIs lead the Reds, and he has been pivotal to their offense this season.
While all eyes will be on De La Cruz, TJ Friedl has been just as impactful. Friedl consistently leads off for the Reds, and his ability to get on base is crucial for their success. The MLB odds favor Friedl to have an immediate impact in this series, and the Reds need their bats to come to life if they hope to inch closer to a playoff spot.
In the other dugout, the St. Louis Cardinals are in desperate need of a victory. They have lost three straight games at the worst time and need to immediately snap out of their funk, or their playoff hopes will slip away.
St. Louis lacks a reliable starting pitcher, as their rotation consists of hurlers with ERAs of 4.30 or higher. However, what they lack in pitching, they can make up for at the plate. Seven players have already hit double-digit home runs this year, with their top nine players all posting WARs of 1.0+.
Head-to-Head
This is one of the oldest MLB rivalries, with the first meeting taking place in 1892. The Cardinals won that game 5-1, and the current season series record is 1237-1125-21 in favor of St. Louis. These two have been in the same division for more than 130 years, and there is no shortage of bad blood anytime they take the field against each other.
In recent seasons, the Cardinals have expanded their all-time lead over the Cincinnati Reds. They have won 11 of the last 13 season series, including nine in a row starting in 2012. The Cardinals hold a 6-4 lead in the 2025 edition of this rivalry, meaning the Reds will need to pull off the sweep if they hope to snap their dubious losing streak.
Key Stats & Facts
The St. Louis Cardinals may be three games under .500, but they have made Busch Stadium a difficult ballpark to play in. They have gone 41-34 at home compared to just 31-41 on the road. The rowdy atmosphere has led to countless iconic Cardinals victories this season, and the home team will be hoping for a few more in this series.
Across the diamond, the Reds have been solid regardless of the venue, but will need their bats to come to life against the Cardinals. They have scored six or fewer runs in six straight games, averaging just 3.66 runs in that span. Their solid pitching has allowed them to still go 4-2 despite poor run support, but they will need to come alive if they hope to defy the MLB odds in St. Louis.
For more expert breakdowns, check out our Orioles vs Blue Jays Prediction
Predicted Lineups:
This is a pivotal series for both teams, and they will be rolling out their very best lineups as a result.
Cincinnati Reds Predicted Batting Order and Lineup:
- 1: TJ Friedl
- 2: Noelvi Marte
- 3: Elly De La Cruz
- 4: Austin Hays
- 5: Gavin Lux
- 6: Spencer Steer
- 7: Tyler Stephenson
- 8: Ke’Bryan Hayes
- 9: Matt McLain
St. Louis Cardinals Predicted Batting Order and Lineup:
- 1: Lars Nootbaar
- 2: Ivan Herrera
- 3: Alec Burleson
- 4: Wilson Contreras
- 5: Nolan Gorman
- 6: Masyn Winn
- 7: Jimmy Crooks
- 8: Thomas Saggese
- 9: Victor Scott
Tips & Score Prediction
The best Reds vs Cardinals predictions to make based on the MLB odds are the under total runs.
These are two defensive teams that will tighten up their swings with playoff baseball looming. A sweep for either team will send shockwaves through the standings, but the sportsbooks expect a tight affair in St. Louis.
Final Thoughts:
It’s winner-take-all for this midweek series as these two playoff hopefuls make one last dash in the Wild Card race.
Regardless of which team you are looking to make Cardinals vs Reds predictions on, Sportzino is the best free sportsbook to do so. Make sure you use the expert MLB predictions provided for what promises to be an action-packed series.
