Game 1 First Pitch: 12:10 PM ET
Game 2 First Pitch: Approximately 6:40 PM ET (or 45 minutes after Game 1 ends)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio / Bally Sports Midwest
WEATHER OUTLOOK — GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK
- Temperature: 77–82°F across the day
- Wind: 8–12 mph out to right-center
- Humidity: 60–65%
- Rain: <10% (dry day expected)
- Impact:
- GABP is already one of MLB’s top HR parks
- Warm temps + wind out = significant boost to left-handed power
- Expect elevated run-scoring conditions in both games
INJURY REPORT
St. Louis Cardinals
- Nolan Arenado — Probable (minor back tightness)
- Willson Contreras — OUT (forearm fracture; IL)
- Tommy Edman — OUT (wrist surgery; IL)
- Steven Matz — OUT (shoulder strain; IL)
Cincinnati Reds
- Matt McLain — OUT (shoulder surgery; season-ending)
- TJ Friedl — OUT (hamstring strain; IL)
- Nick Lodolo — Probable (fatigue; expected to pitch in upcoming series, not today)
- Brandon Williamson — OUT (lat strain; IL)
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
GAME 1 — 12:10 PM ET
St. Louis: RHP Kyle Leahy
- 2026 Stats: 2–2, 4.41 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
- Profile:
- Fastball 94–96 mph, decent ride
- Slider is his out pitch
- Fly-ball tendencies are dangerous in Cincinnati
- Weakness:
- Struggles vs. left-handed hitters (.286 BAA)
- High HR/FB rate (14%)
Cincinnati: RHP Chris Paddack
- 2026 Stats: 3–3, 3.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
- Profile:
- Changeup-heavy righty
- Excellent command; low walk rate
- Keeps ball down better than earlier in his career
- Matchup Advantage:
- Cardinals struggle vs. elite changeups
- Paddack has been strong at home (3.21 ERA)
GAME 2 — 6:40 PM ET (Projected)
St. Louis: RHP Tink Hence (expected)
- 2026 Stats: 1–1, 3.72 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
- Profile:
- Electric young arm
- Fastball 96–98 mph, sharp curve
- High strikeout upside
- Concern:
- First career start at GABP — tough environment
- Reds hit velocity well
Cincinnati: RHP Chase Petty
- 2026 Stats: 2–2, 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
- Profile:
- Heavy sinker (97 mph)
- Generates ground balls
- Still developing secondary pitches
- Matchup Advantage:
- Cardinals right-handed core (Goldschmidt, Arenado) hits sinkers well
- Vulnerable to lefty bats
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
St. Louis Cardinals (28–21)
- Last 10: 7–3
- Road Record: 13–11
- Run Differential: +19
- Trend: Pitching stabilizing; offense improving after slow April
- Strength: Top-5 in MLB in hard-hit rate over last 15 games
- Weakness: Bullpen depth tested in doubleheaders
Cincinnati Reds (26–24)
- Last 10: 5–5
- Home Record: 14–12
- Run Differential: +6
- Trend: Offense streaky; pitching inconsistent
- Strength: Athletic lineup; aggressive baserunning
- Weakness: Missing key bats (McLain, Friedl)
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Cardinals Hitters vs. Reds Pitching
- Paul Goldschmidt: .310 career vs sinkers; strong matchup vs Petty
- Nolan Arenado: Heating up (.333 last 7 games)
- Lars Nootbaar: Best matchup vs Paddack’s fastball/changeup combo
- Masyn Winn: Elite contact; thrives vs command pitchers
Reds Hitters vs. Cardinals Pitching
- Elly De La Cruz: HR/SB threat; Leahy’s fly-ball profile is dangerous
- Spencer Steer: .295 at home; excellent vs sliders
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Power bat boosted by weather
- Jeimer Candelario: Switch-hitter with strong OBP
SERIES HISTORY
- 2024–2026: Cardinals lead 17–14
- At GABP: Reds have won 5 of last 8
- Cardinals swept a doubleheader here in 2023, Reds swept one in 2025
BETTING TRENDS
St. Louis
- 6–2 in last 8 road games
- 5–1 in last 6 vs NL Central
- Over is 4–1 in last 5
Cincinnati
- 4–1 in last 5 home games
- 6–2 in last 8 as underdog
- Over is 7–3 in last 10 at GABP
GAME 1 ODDS
St. Louis Cardinals 9.5
Cincinnati Reds – 109
GAME 2 ODDS
St. Louis Cardinals – 106
Cincinnati Reds 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
