Free MLB Picks Today: St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds 9/16/22

The St. Louis Cardinals (84-60) host the Cincinnati Reds (57-86) at Busch Stadium on Friday. The Reds took Thursday’s series opener 3-2, their sixth head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Chase Anderson got the win, allowing one run on one hit over five innings, and Alexis Diaz earned his seventh save. Aristides Aquino was 2 for 4 with a solo home run and a double in the win. Paul Goldschmidt went 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI for the Cardinals.

ON THE MOUND

Right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.15 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Reds. Flaherty made two appearances against the Reds in 2021, both as the starter, striking out 10 and walking two over 11.1 innings (1-0, 5.56).In his last start on Saturday, Flaherty took a no-decision on the road against the Pirates. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on six hits, walking four, in the 7-5 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while performing worse across the board (.191/.274/.325). Against right-handed pitchers like Flaherty this season, the Reds have a .681 OPS. Kyle Farmer is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .633 OPS in 331 at-bats. St. Louis is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.9 for the season.

HOME AND AWAY

Cincinnati is 28-43 away from Great American Ball Park in 2022, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. St. Louis has gone 48-26 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In the last 10 meetings at Busch Stadium, St. Louis is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.6.