St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick & Prediction MAY 1st 2025
Preview and Prediction
After securing back-to-back victories on the road for the first time this season, the St. Louis Cardinals will attempt to claim their initial road series win on Thursday as they wrap up a four-game matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals came into Wednesday's day-night doubleheader with a dismal 2-12 record away from Busch Stadium, following a 3-1 defeat in Cincinnati on Monday. However, they turned things around with an impressive display of six home runs and 15 runs, sweeping the twin bill with scores of 6-0 and 9-1 to double their total number of road wins this season. Manager Oliver Marmol, who was ejected in the eighth inning of the first game, made some changes to the batting order for the doubleheader. He placed Masyn Winn in the second spot in the lineup for the first time in his career, and the shortstop responded with two solo home runs in the first game and two more hits in the second game. In search of more power, Marmol also moved Willson Contreras to the middle of the lineup for both games. The catcher delivered with a three-run homer in the first inning of the second contest. "We want to add some speed to that No. 2 spot with Masyn, who has been getting closer to finding his groove with the bat," Marmol explained. "The absence of (injured catcher Ivan Herrera) has been a factor in our lack of power, but I truly believe that Contreras and (Nolan Arenado) will step up. I have confidence that Contreras will show a different side of his game and we'll see some real production from him." Taking the mound for the Cardinals in the series finale will be Matthew Liberatore (2-2, 3.19 ERA). The left-hander allowed just one earned run and five hits over six-plus innings in his last start, earning a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Liberatore has been consistent in all five of his starts this season, pitching at least six innings and showcasing excellent control with 28 strikeouts and only two walks in 31 innings. This will be Liberatore's first career start against the Reds. In seven relief appearances against them, he has a record of 1-0 with an impressive 1.17 ERA. The Reds will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (2-0, 3.60 ERA), making his fourth start of the season. In his last outing, Abbott struggled, giving up four runs on five hits in just four innings in Cincinnati's 8-7 win over the Colorado Rockies. He struggled with his command, walking five batters and striking out four, resulting in his shortest start of the season. In five career starts against the Cardinals, Abbott has a record of 3-2 with a 4.94 ERA. The Reds are currently trying to determine the best way to utilize Alexis Diaz after the former closer had a rough start to the season. In Wednesday's Game 1 loss, Diaz gave up three consecutive home runs in the ninth inning, allowing five runs and ultimately crushing any chance of a comeback for the Reds. "It was a tough situation," said Reds manager Terry Francona. "We would have liked to keep it 1-0 and give ourselves a chance to use our closer." In six appearances this season, Diaz has given up eight hits, eight runs, four home runs, and five walks while striking out three. He currently has an ERA of 12.00, and opposing batters are hitting .308 against him. "Despite his struggles, he still loves to pitch," Francona added.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Recap MAY 1TH 2025
Masyn Winn belted two homers and Miles Mikolas allowed just three hits over 5 1/3 innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-0 win over the host Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday.
Mikolas (1-2) struck out four and walked none before being relieved with one out in the sixth. Kyle Leahy pitched out of a second-and-third jam in the sixth and followed with a scoreless seventh.
With two outs in the ninth, Victor Scott II belted a three-run homer before Lars Nootbaar and Winn hit back-to-back blasts off Alexis Diaz in a five-run inning as the Cardinals won for just the third time in 15 road games.
The game was a makeup from Tuesday night's rainout in Cincinnati.
Elly De La Cruz extended his hitting streak to 13 and on-base streak to 18 with a first-inning single to center for the Reds, who had their five-game win streak snapped. Gavin Lux walked but went hitless in three official at-bats to end his hitting streak at 12.
With one out in the first, Winn drove a first-pitch sinker from Reds starter Brady Singer 400 feet off the facade of the upper deck in left for a 1-0 lead. Singer (4-1) suffered his first loss in a Cincinnati uniform, allowing just one run on two hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four.
The game was a stark contrast from Singer's first three starts when he received 30 runs of support and went 3-0.
Cincinnati's Tyler Callihan was recalled from Triple-A Louisville and made his major league debut in left field, going 0-for-2 before coming out for a pinch hitter in the eighth. Callihan took the roster spot of Jeimer Candelario, who was placed on the 10-day injured list before the game with a lumbar spine strain.
Home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman ejected St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol in the top of the eighth after Marmol argued a strike call from the dugout.