First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. ET
Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio (capacity ~42,000–45,000; classic hitter-friendly dimensions favoring home runs, especially to the power alleys and right field).
This is the finale of a five-game NL Central series (Cardinals lead the season series overall roughly 6-4 or better after taking two of the first four in this set, including a 3-0 win Tuesday; Reds took Wednesday 5-4 on a late rally featuring Sal Stewart’s three-run homer). Both teams sit outside serious contention—Cardinals third in the NL Central (well behind Milwaukee and Chicago), Reds fifth.
Probable Starting Pitchers
STL: RHP Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.48 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 132.0 IP, 91 K, 34 BB, 18 HR). Solid control, keeps the ball in the park reasonably well; recent form mixed but includes a strong outing vs. Cubs (6 IP, 0 ER). Throws primarily four-seam/sinker mix with secondary pitches. Better overall numbers than his counterpart.
CIN: RHP Brady Singer (5-11, 4.66 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 125.2 IP, 104 K, 42 BB, 24 HR). Higher walk and home-run rates; has been hittable at times this year with quality starts mixed in recent outings (e.g., vs. Marlins). Sinker-slider oriented pitcher who can struggle with command under pressure.
McGreevy holds the clear edge on paper in ERA, WHIP, and HR prevention.
Current Rosters & Key Contributors
Cardinals (key active hitters/pitchers): Alec Burleson (1B/OF, ~.289 AVG, 21 HR, 92 RBI—team leader), Jordan Walker (RF, ~.288, 25 HR, 90 RBI), Iván Herrera (C/DH), JJ Wetherholt (2B), Masyn Winn (SS—recent multi-hit games including power), Nathan Church (CF), Blaze Jordan (3B/utility), José Fermín, Joshua Báez, Pedro Pagés/Jimmy Crooks (C). Pitching depth includes Kyle Leahy, Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore, Hunter Dobbins, plus relievers (Stanek, Ferguson, etc.).
Reds (key active): Sal Stewart (1B, power bat with 26–27 HR and strong RBI totals—series standout), Elly De La Cruz (SS, speed/power), Eugenio Suárez (3B), TJ Friedl (OF), Matt McLain (2B), Tyler Stephenson/José Trevino (C), JJ Bleday, Dane Myers/Hector Rodriguez (OF depth). Rotation includes Chase Burns (ace-level numbers earlier), Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder; bullpen features Emilio Pagán and others.
Lineups typically announced ~90 minutes prior; expect standard mixes with Burleson/Walker/Herrera/Wetherholt/Winn leading for STL and Stewart/De La Cruz/Suárez/McLain for CIN.
Injury Reports
Cardinals: Ramón Urías (3B, right elbow, 60-day IL, estimated return ~Aug 24–25); Max Rajcic (RP, right elbow, 60-day IL, ~Aug 31/Sep 1). Some earlier notes on other depth pieces, but core lineup largely intact.
Reds: Tony Santillan (RP, left oblique, 15-day IL, expected activation ~Aug 21); Brandon Williamson (SP, left shoulder, 60-day IL, ~Aug 21); Graham Ashcraft (RP, right elbow/forearm, 60-day IL, ~Aug 30–31); Spencer Steer (1B, right wrist, 10-day IL, ~Aug 31/Sep 1); Blake Dunn (CF, right elbow, 60-day IL, out longer-term into 2027); Hunter Greene (SP, elbow/Tommy John-related, out for season/long-term). Bullpen and depth impacted, but position players mostly available aside from Steer.
Weather Forecast
Daytime game expected in the low-to-mid 80s°F (highs around 80–82°F), humid, with partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies. Chance of showers/thunderstorms ~50% (higher earlier, tapering in the afternoon), light winds (around 5 mph, variable/northwesterly or similar). Precipitation possible but not guaranteed to delay; humidity elevated. Great American Ball Park can play differently with humidity and any wind toward the river.
Key Player Matchups & Recent Form
McGreevy vs. Reds hitters (Stewart, De La Cruz, Suárez, McLain): McGreevy’s control and lower HR rate favor him against a power-oriented but strikeout-prone Reds lineup that has struggled for consistent runs lately (.226 team AVG overall, cold stretches with low OPS in recent games).
Singer vs. Cardinals (Burleson, Walker, Wetherholt, Winn, Herrera): Singer’s elevated ERA/WHIP and HR susceptibility make him vulnerable to lefty-heavy or contact/power mix from STL; Walker and Burleson have shown strong production.
Bullpens and late innings could decide it given both teams’ recent close games.
Recent team form:
Cardinals ~6-4 or 7-3 in last 10, strong road stretch earlier in the trip (including shutout win Tuesday), better overall offense/pitching balance (~.240 AVG, 3.99–4.01 ERA).
Reds ~4-6 or 5-5 in last 10, scored sparingly in stretches (.184 AVG over some 10-game spans, multiple low-scoring losses), but showed fight with Wednesday’s comeback; home record 32-35. Series so far: low-scoring affairs mixed with one extra-inning game and Wednesday’s 5-4.
Series History & Betting Trends
Season series leans Cardinals. Head-to-head in this set has featured unders more often than not until Wednesday. Cardinals have been solid as road underdogs/favorites in spots; Reds better when favored at home but inconsistent offensively. Totals have trended under in many recent meetings (e.g., several 2-1, 3-0 results). Moneyline has swung with pitching edges.
GAME ODDS
St. Louis Cardinals – 113
Cincinnati Reds 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026
