I don’t want to write about the Reds right now. I am just flat-out disappointed in the Reds at the moment, as I assume every fan in Cincinnati is, as well. Last week, with the Mets free-falling in the standings, the Reds had a legitimate opportunity to make a postseason push, yet the team was instead swept by the vagabond Athletics. Cincinnati has lost four of its last five after getting shutout on Tuesday, and the team now finds itself a full three games back of a playoff spot. Woof.
Can the Reds start a final push with a win in St. Louis? Let’s preview this divisional matchup with the help of some of those odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Reds vs. Cardinals prediction, preview
If there is a player on the Reds who has locked-in over the past two months in an attempt to make the postseason, it’s been Brady Singer. Over his last six starts, Singer has been a man possessed, maintaining a 2.00 ERA with a 2.87 FIP and holding opponents to a .179/.245/.301 slash line. It’s probably the best the former first-round pick has pitched since a breakout 2022 campaign, where Singer managed a 3.23 ERA over 153.1 innings of work. Oddly enough, for 2025 as a whole, Singer has preferred taking the mound at the always hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, as the RHP has struggled to a 4.99 ERA on the road. No matter. To me, Singer’s recent form would trump any road split concerns on Wednesday afternoon.
It’s also not like the Cardinals are currently tearing the cover off the baseball, either. In September, St. Louis isn’t quite at the depressing offensive level of the Rockies or the Pirates — but its close! The Cardinals have the league’s lowest ISO in the months (.099) and they pair that with 28th ranked marks in both wOBA (.276) and wRC+ (77). Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado being back off the IL helps, but now Willson Contreras (biceps) is dealing with an ailment. This lineup just can’t catch a break.
Also working in the Reds’ favor on Wednesday? The presence of Andre Pallante. The right-hander has lost 14 decisions this season and it’s not too difficult to figure out why. While a 98th percentile ground ball rate is elite (60.8%), Pallante simply allows too much opponent contact, and that’s translated into the fourth-highest ERA among qualified pitchers (5.34) and the third-lowest strand rate (63.8%). Too many stats? Just know that Pallante sports an 8.18 ERA since August 9. He’s been super poor on the mound lately.
Reds vs. Cardinals pick, best bet
Best Bet: Reds ML (-120)
Singer and Pallante have been on opposite ends of the spectrum the past two months. Cincinnati needs this win to stay in the Wild Card hunt and I think it gets it.
