Anticipation is running high in St. Louis as the Cincinnati Reds (74-75) and the St. Louis Cardinals (73-77) prepare to square off tonight at Busch Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET. Both clubs, separated by a single game in the NL Central standings, are looking to shake off recent struggles and make a late-season statement in this critical divisional clash. The game will be broadcast on FDSMW and FDSOH, and streamed live on Fubo, albeit with regional restrictions.
St. Louis will send left-hander Matthew Liberatore (7-12, 4.35 ERA) to the mound for his 28th start of the season. Liberatore, only 25 years old, has shown flashes of promise throughout the year, notching 110 strikeouts across 140 2/3 innings. However, consistency has sometimes eluded him. In his most recent outing on September 9 against the Seattle Mariners, Liberatore lasted just four innings, surrendering five earned runs on six hits. Despite the rough patch, the southpaw has managed 10 quality starts this season and has pitched five or more innings in 18 of his appearances. On three occasions, he’s held opponents scoreless, a testament to his potential when everything clicks.
Across the diamond, the Reds counter with right-hander Zack Littell (9-8, 3.78 ERA), who is enjoying a steady campaign in his 30th start of the year. Littell’s command has been a bright spot, as evidenced by his 4.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.121 over 171.1 innings. In his last appearance, Littell went six innings against the San Diego Padres, allowing just two earned runs and two hits—an efficient performance that kept Cincinnati in the game. He’s delivered 17 quality starts this year and averages nearly six innings per outing, giving the Reds much-needed stability in their rotation.
Both teams are aiming to reverse recent fortunes. The Reds enter tonight’s contest on the heels of a three-game losing streak, while the Cardinals have dropped six of their last ten. The stakes are amplified with both clubs sitting outside the playoff picture but still within striking distance of a late surge. The moneyline odds favor St. Louis at -116, with the Reds listed as narrow underdogs at -103. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.5, suggesting oddsmakers expect a competitive, offense-driven affair.
Offensively, the Cardinals have relied on a balanced attack, but a few names stand out. Alec Burleson continues to pace the club with a .281 batting average, 17 home runs, and 63 RBIs. He’s kept his strikeout rate low at 14.4% and has been a steady presence in the lineup, scoring 49 runs over 500 plate appearances. Willson Contreras, the hard-hitting catcher, leads the team with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs, while also boasting a .255 average and .786 OPS. Contreras has been on a tear lately, hitting .389 with a triple, two walks, and five RBIs in his last five games. Brendan Donovan adds further depth, batting .279 with 25 doubles, 10 homers, and a .354 on-base percentage. Donovan enters the matchup riding a two-game hitting streak and has been productive over his last five, hitting .300 with a double, a homer, and three RBIs.
For the Reds, the sparkplug at the top of the order is Elly De La Cruz. The 22-year-old phenom is slashing .263/.331/.433 with 19 home runs, 82 RBIs, and a team-high 97 runs scored. His speed has also been a weapon, swiping 35 bases in 42 attempts. De La Cruz’s combination of power and athleticism has made him one of the most exciting young players in the league. TJ Friedl has provided steady production, posting a .261 average with 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. Spencer Steer and Austin Hays round out a lineup that’s capable of putting runs on the board in bunches—Steer with 17 home runs and Hays adding 15 of his own.
Injury concerns loom over both clubs as they try to keep postseason hopes alive. The Cardinals are without Masyn Winn (meniscus), Nolan Arenado (shoulder), and Zack Thompson (lat), all on the injured list. For Cincinnati, the situation is even more dire, with Tyler Callihan, Carson Spiers, Wade Miley, Julian Aguiar, Brandon Williamson, Ian Gibaut, and Rhett Lowder all sidelined with various ailments, most on the 60-day IL. Depth will be tested as both managers look to patch together competitive lineups and bullpens.
Recent betting trends show both squads have been inconsistent. The Cardinals are 4-6 in their last ten games, averaging just 3.4 runs per contest and hitting six home runs over that span. Their pitching staff has posted a 4.10 ERA, with a strikeout rate of 7.8 per nine innings. The Reds have mirrored that 4-6 record, averaging four runs per game and launching 13 homers in their last ten. However, their pitching has struggled, compiling a 5.17 ERA and 8.7 K/9 in that stretch.
Looking at the head-to-head matchups this year, Liberatore has faced the Reds previously, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs on eight hits, while Littell has squared off against the Cardinals for seven innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. Both starters have shown they can keep their teams in the game, but the bullpens may prove decisive as the night wears on.
With the run line favoring the Reds at -1.5 and the over/under set at 8.5, bettors and fans alike are bracing for a close, potentially high-scoring affair. The expert prediction leans ever so slightly toward the Cardinals, with a projected score of 5-4 and a 51% win probability for St. Louis. Still, with both teams desperate for momentum and key players capable of turning the tide, nothing is set in stone.
Tonight’s matchup at Busch Stadium is more than just another game—it’s a late-season battle with pride, position, and perhaps even playoff hopes on the line. Whether it’s Burleson’s bat, De La Cruz’s speed, or a pitcher’s duel between Liberatore and Littell, fans can expect plenty of drama as these NL Central rivals renew hostilities under the lights. The action is just getting started, and all eyes are on St. Louis as the Cardinals and Reds look to seize the moment and change the narrative of their seasons.
