First Pitch: 8:15 PM ET / 7:15 PM CT / 5:15 PM PT
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
Venue & Weather Conditions
Busch Stadium is a moderately pitcher-friendly park, especially in early summer when humidity rises but temperatures remain manageable.
Forecast
Temperature: 78–81°F
Wind: 6–9 mph blowing in from left-center
Humidity: ~60%
Rain: <10% chance
Field Conditions: Dry, slightly humid, mild pitcher’s edge
Impact: Wind blowing in + moderate humidity = reduced carry, especially to left field. Pitchers who induce ground balls benefit; fly-ball hitters lose some power.
🏥 Injury Report
Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz (SS/3B) — Healthy and active.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B) — IL (wrist).
TJ Friedl (OF) — Day-to-day, hamstring tightness; probable.
Hunter Greene (RHP) — Healthy.
Nick Lodolo (LHP) — IL (shoulder fatigue).
St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Goldschmidt (1B) — Healthy and active.
Nolan Arenado (3B) — Day-to-day, back stiffness; expected to play.
Lars Nootbaar (OF) — IL (rib fracture).
Willson Contreras (C) — Healthy.
Miles Mikolas (RHP) — IL (forearm).
Team Records & Recent Form
Cincinnati Reds (31–30)
Last 10: 6–4
Road Record: 14–16
Run Differential: +6
Trend: Pitching stabilizing, offense inconsistent but explosive when hot.
Key Strength: Speed + power combination (De La Cruz, Benson).
Key Weakness: Bullpen volatility.
St. Louis Cardinals (32–28)
Last 10: 7–3
Home Record: 17–12
Run Differential: +14
Trend: Offense heating up, rotation improving.
Key Strength: Veteran middle-of-order consistency.
Key Weakness: Lack of outfield depth due to injuries.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Brady Singer — RHP, Reds
2026 Stats: 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.1 K/9
Recent Form: 3.10 ERA over last 4 starts
Strengths: Heavy sinker, slider with late bite, induces ground balls
Weaknesses: Occasional command lapses vs left-handed hitters
Matchup Notes:
Cardinals’ lefties (Burleson, Donovan) match up well.
Singer’s sinker plays well in Busch Stadium’s conditions.
Gordon Graceffo Leahy — RHP, Cardinals
2026 Stats: 3.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.0 K/9
Recent Form: 2.88 ERA over last 5 starts
Strengths: Power fastball, sharp slider, excellent command
Weaknesses: Can be homer-prone when behind in counts
Matchup Notes:
Reds’ righties (De La Cruz, India, Stephenson) are dangerous.
Leahy’s slider must stay down to avoid barrels.
Key Player Matchups
1. Elly De La Cruz (CIN) vs. Leahy
De La Cruz has a .900+ OPS vs RHP in 2026
Leahy’s fastball can leak into his launch zone
Advantage: Reds
2. Paul Goldschmidt (STL) vs. Singer
Goldschmidt hits sinkerballers extremely well
Singer must avoid middle-in locations
Advantage: Cardinals
3. Nolan Arenado (STL) vs. Singer
Arenado thrives at home vs RHP
Singer’s slider must be sharp
Advantage: Cardinals
4. Spencer Steer (CIN) vs. Leahy
Steer excels vs high-velocity fastballs
Leahy’s fastball is his primary weapon
Advantage: Reds
Series History
2025 Season: Cardinals won 8 of 13
Last 10 Meetings: Cardinals lead 6–4
At Busch Stadium: Cardinals have won 7 of last 10
Trend: St. Louis consistently performs well at home vs Cincinnati.
Betting Trends
Reds are 9–4 in their last 13 games.
Cardinals are 12–5 in their last 17 home games.
Under is 7–3 in last 10 Reds road games.
Singer’s starts have gone under in 5 of his last 7.
Cardinals are 8–2 in Leahy’s last 10 starts.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 9
St. Louis Cardinals – 133
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 4, 2026
