The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds are set to face off in a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. This doubleheader comes after Tuesday’s game was postponed due to inclement weather. The Reds have already won the first game of the series, and both teams will look to make a statement in these pivotal matchups.
Game 1 Overview
St. Louis Cardinals:
- Record: 12-17 (5th in the NL Central)
- Starting Pitcher: Miles Mikolas (0-2, 5.70 ERA)
Mikolas is coming off his first quality start of the season and will aim to build on that momentum. His ability to limit Cincinnati’s potent offense will be crucial. - Key Players:
- Lars Nootbaar: Nootbaar has been a consistent offensive force, hitting .272 with a .409 OBP this season.
- Brendan Donovan: Donovan leads the team with a .359 batting average and has been a reliable presence in the lineup.
- Strengths: The Cardinals rank second in MLB with a .263 team batting average, but their pitching staff has struggled, posting a collective ERA of 4.82.
Cincinnati Reds:
- Record: 16-13 (2nd in the NL Central)
- Starting Pitcher: Brady Singer (4-0, 3.62 ERA)
Singer has been dominant this season, averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He will look to continue his unbeaten streak. - Key Players:
- Elly De La Cruz: De La Cruz leads the team with five home runs and 24 RBIs, showcasing his power and ability to drive in runs.
- TJ Friedl: Friedl has been a reliable contributor, hitting .286 with six doubles and a triple this season.
- Strengths: The Reds rank third in MLB with 153 total runs scored and sixth in team batting average (.254). Their pitching staff has been solid, with a team ERA of 3.83.
Game 2 Overview
St. Louis Cardinals:
- Starting Pitcher: Steven Matz (2-0, 1.80 ERA)
Matz has been effective in limited outings this season and will look to provide stability in the nightcap. - Key Players:
- Willson Contreras: Contreras has been heating up at the plate, providing key hits in recent games.
- Masyn Winn: Winn has shown flashes of brilliance defensively and will look to contribute offensively in this matchup.
Cincinnati Reds:
- Starting Pitcher: Andrew Abbott (2-0, 3.60 ERA)
Abbott has been solid in his starts, though he struggled in his last outing, allowing four earned runs over four innings. He will aim to rebound in Game 2. - Key Players:
- Jonathan India: India has been a consistent presence in the Reds’ lineup, contributing both offensively and defensively.
- Gavin Lux: Lux is riding a 12-game hitting streak and has been a key part of Cincinnati’s recent success.
Game Dynamics
Cardinals’ Strategy:
St. Louis will need to focus on improving their pitching and limiting Cincinnati’s scoring opportunities. Mikolas and Matz must deliver quality starts, while Nootbaar, Donovan, and Contreras lead the offensive charge. The Cardinals’ bullpen will also need to step up to keep both games competitive.
Reds’ Strategy:
Cincinnati will aim to maintain their offensive momentum and capitalize on St. Louis’ defensive lapses. Singer and Abbott must set the tone on the mound, while De La Cruz, Friedl, and Lux continue to lead the offensive effort. The Reds’ bullpen, which has been reliable, will play a critical role in closing out both games.
Key Matchups
- Miles Mikolas vs. Brady Singer: A clash of starting pitchers, with Mikolas looking to rebound and Singer aiming to extend his unbeaten streak.
- Steven Matz vs. Andrew Abbott: A battle of left-handers, with Matz’s consistency against Abbott’s potential for a bounce-back performance.
- Lars Nootbaar vs. Elly De La Cruz: A duel of offensive leaders, with Nootbaar’s consistency against De La Cruz’s power.
Game Odds
Game 1
St. Louis Cardinals 9
Cincinnati Reds – 148
Game 2
St. Louis Cardinals 9.5
Cincinnati Reds – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 29, 2025
