Hot-hitting Nolan Gorman will be looking to extend his 14-game hitting streak as the St. Louis Cardinals (22-29) face off against the Cincinnati Reds (21-28) at Great American Ball Park on Thursday with the visitors looking to split the four-game series.
The Reds lead the series 2-1 after winning 10-3 on Wednesday. Ben Lively went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out eight, to get the win.
Spencer Steer went 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs in the win. Matt McLain added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Brendan Donovan was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Cardinals.
ON THE MOUND
Miles Mikolas (2-1, 4.77 ERA) is in line for the start for St. Louis. The right-hander allowed three runs over seven innings in his last start, a 6-5 home win over the Dodgers on Saturday.
He gave up six hits while striking out two in the no-decision. Mikolas is making his first appearance against the Reds this season. Over four starts against the Reds in 2022, Mikolas was 1-2 with a 5.64 ERA over 22.1 innings. He had 14 strikeouts and seven walks.
For Cincinnati, RHP Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.54 ERA) gets the start. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals. In his last start on Saturday, Weaver took a no-decision at home against the Yankees. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, striking out four, in the 7-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 6.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.1, while performing better across the board (.275/.354/.474). Against right-handed pitchers like Weaver this season, the Cards have a .769 OPS, fifth highest in the league.
Paul Goldschmidt has the team’s highest on-base percentage against right-handers at .407 over 137 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.4 for the season.
The Reds have a .694 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .885 OPS over 115 at-bats, Jake Fraley has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 11-14 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Cincinnati has gone 14-13 at Great American Ball Park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. Cincinnati is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park with an average scoreline of 5.5-5.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Reds are fifth in the NL Central, six games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
St.Louis Cardinals (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
