Reds and Cardinals Clash in Crucial NL Central Series
The Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals are squaring off again, and this time the stakes feel a little heavier. On Monday night in St. Louis, these two National League Central rivals begin a three-game series that could have a real impact on the playoff picture. The Reds come in with a 74–75 record, sitting just under .500, while the Cardinals are at 73–77. Both teams are clinging to hopes of sneaking into the wild-card race, but the margin for error has grown razor thin.
On the mound, Cincinnati will send Zack Littell, who has quietly put together a solid season with a 9–8 record and a 3.78 ERA. He’s been reliable, though one issue has haunted him all year—home runs. He has given up 34 of them already, which has left him vulnerable, especially against teams like St. Louis that can punish mistakes. Facing him will be Matthew Liberatore, the left-hander for the Cardinals. Liberatore has had an up-and-down season, holding a 7–12 record with a 4.35 ERA. He’s shown flashes of promise but has struggled at times, particularly against Cincinnati. In just eight innings against the Reds this year, he has allowed 10 hits and five runs.
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For the Cardinals, offense has often leaned on Alec Burleson, who has put together a strong campaign with 22 doubles and 17 home runs. He’s been especially tough against right-handed pitching, making him a name to watch in this matchup. Ivan Herrera has also added some spark lately, collecting three home runs in his last 10 games. On the Reds’ side, Gavin Lux leads the team with a .263 average, and Austin Hays has provided some timely hitting, including two homers in his last 10 games.
The season series between these two clubs has been tight, but the Cardinals currently hold the edge, winning six of the first ten meetings. That advantage gives them confidence, especially at home, where they’ve been stronger with a 41–34 record. But Cincinnati has proven it can be dangerous, especially when the bats get hot. The Reds are 47–19 in games when they’ve scored at least five runs, which means if their offense wakes up early, things can tilt quickly in their favor.
Both teams enter this series having gone 4–6 over their last ten games, so momentum isn’t really on either side. Injuries have also taken their toll, with key players like Nolan Arenado sidelined for the Cardinals and several pitchers on the injured list for Cincinnati. Still, with just a couple of weeks left in the season, desperation may be the greatest motivator.
This series won’t just be another routine set of games. For both clubs, it feels like the moment of truth. Wins here could extend hope for October, while losses could effectively close the door on playoff dreams. And with two pitchers who have been hittable at times, Monday’s opener may just turn into the kind of slugfest that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
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