Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and predictions

The Cincinnati Reds (71-75) and St. Louis Cardinals (72-72) play the 2nd game of a 3-game series Wednesday at Busch Stadium at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Reds vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Reds lead 7-4

The Reds won their 3rd straight with a 3-0 shutout Tuesday. SS Elly De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with 2 walks and 2 steals, CF TJ Friedl had 2 RBIs and 5 pitchers combined to keep the Cardinals off the board. Cincinnati is 7-3 over its last 10 games and has won 5 of its last 6 against St. Louis, including 4 in a row.

Tuesday’s game really sums up the Cardinals’ season. They had 8 hits and 2 walks and did not score a single run. They loaded the bases in the 9th inning with no outs but didn’t score, not even putting the ball in play as they struck out 3 times in a row to end the game. Entering Wednesday, they’re 6½ games out of a Wild Card spot with 18 games to go.

Reds at Cardinals projected starters

RHP Brandon Williamson vs. RHP Lance Lynn

Williamson (0-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his 2nd start (3rd appearance) of 2024. He has a 0.63 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 8 innings.

• Last outing: No-decision, 4 2/3 relief IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 6-4 loss in 10 innings at New York Mets Friday
• Last start: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 4-3 home loss in 11 innings vs. Milwaukee Brewers Sept. 1
• Career vs. Cardinals: 1-0, 4.35 ERA (10 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 9 H, 6 BB, 5 K in 2 starts

Lynn (6-4, 4.06 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 106 1/3 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 8-1 home victory vs. Texas Rangers July 30
• First start since July 30; was on IL with knee injury
• 2024 vs. Reds: 1-1, 0.75 ERA (12 IP, 1 ER, 3 R) 7 H, 4 BB, 11 K in 2 starts
• Last 5 starts vs. Reds: 4-1, 2.73 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.04 WHIP, 26 K
• Career vs. Reds: 13-5, 3.05 ERA (129 2/3 IP, 44 ER), 1.10 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 24 games (21 starts)

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Reds at Cardinals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 3:57 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Reds +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Cardinals -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-185) | Cardinals -1.5 (+150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Reds at Cardinals picks and predictions

Prediction

Reds 5, Cardinals 2

The Reds have the Cards’ number. They know that all they have to do is get on 1st base and they’ll likely get to 2nd. They stole 3 bags Tuesday but did get thrown out once — they’re 2nd in the majors in SBs with 194; Washington is 1st with 198. TAKE CINCINNATI (+125).

AVOID an RL play since we’re backing the Reds’ ML.

However, he’s a prop bet for you. We nailed this Tuesday in the 1st inning, and we’re going back to the well. BET ELLY DE LA CRUZ OVER 0.5 STOLEN BASES (+115).

It’s slated to be 87 degrees, with low humidity, and a 6-mph wind blowing in from right-center. I expect this to be close, but I don’t respect the Cardinals offense enough to cash an Over despite the salivating odds.

TAKE UNDER 8 (-110).

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