Hot-hitting Nolan Gorman will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the St. Louis Cardinals (21-28) face off against the Cincinnati Reds (20-27) at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday. The Reds took Monday’s series opener 6-5 in 10 innings. Reliever Ian Gibaut was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning.
Tyler Stephenson went 1 for 2 with one run and one RBI, walking three times, in the win. Paul DeJong was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double for the Cardinals. He drove in four runs. Lars Nootbaar added a double and one RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Adam Wainwright (1-0, 5.74 ERA) is set to get the start for St. Louis. The right-hander allowed five runs (two earned) over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 16-8 road win over the Dodgers on Thursday.
He got the win, giving up five hits while striking out one and walking three. Wainwright is making his first appearance against the Reds this season. Over three starts against the Reds in 2022, Wainwright was 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA over 17.1 innings.
He had 12 strikeouts and seven walks. For Cincinnati, RHP Graham Ashcraft (2-2, 4.84 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals.
Ashcraft made two appearances against the Cardinals in 2022, both starts, striking out 10 and walking three over 9.1 innings (0-0, 7.71). In his last start on Wednesday, Ashcraft took the loss on the road against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs on 10 hits, striking out three and walking one in the 11-6 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 7.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.1, partially thanks to greater slugging (.479 vs .438). Against right-handed pitchers like Ashcraft this season, the Cards have a .763 OPS.
Gorman is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a 1.013 OPS in 128 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.3 for the season.
The Reds have a .687 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .890 OPS over 111 at-bats, Jake Fraley has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 10-13 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Cincinnati has gone 13-12 at Great American Ball Park this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.6.
The NL Central rivals have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Great American Ball Park, though St. Louis has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.8-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Reds are fifth in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
St.Louis Cardinals (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
