Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals: NL Central Rivals Clash in St. Louis on September 15, 2025

Monday, September 15th, 2025

Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals: Key Matchup Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Busch Stadium on Monday, September 15, with first pitch set for 6:45PM. This series opener marks the 11th meeting between the two NL Central rivals this season, with St. Louis holding a 6-4 advantage in the season series.

Team Overview

Cincinnati Reds (74-75) currently sit third in the NL Central, while the St. Louis Cardinals (73-77) are close behind in fourth place. The Reds have struggled on the road with a 34-41 record, but have shown success in high-scoring games, posting a 47-19 record when scoring five or more runs. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have performed well at home, boasting a 41-34 home record and a team batting average of .245, ranking 10th in the National League.

Pitching Matchup

The Reds will send Zack Littell (9-8, 3.78 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 120 strikeouts) to the mound, aiming to contain the Cardinals' lineup. Opposing him will be Matthew Liberatore (7-12, 4.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 110 strikeouts), who looks to secure an opening win for St. Louis. The betting odds list the Cardinals as slight favorites at -125, with an over/under set at 8.5 runs.

Top Performers

For St. Louis, Alec Burleson has registered 22 doubles, two triples, and 17 home runs. Ivan Herrera has been productive recently, going 10-for-38 with two doubles, three home runs, and four RBIs over the Cardinals' last 10 games.

On the Reds' side, Gavin Lux leads the team with a .263 batting average, 24 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. Austin Hays has been consistent, tallying 10 hits in his last 36 at-bats with two home runs and four RBIs across the past 10 games.

Recent Form

Both teams have had challenging stretches lately, each going 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Cardinals have posted a .220 team batting average and a 4.10 ERA over that span, having been outscored by 12 runs. The Reds, meanwhile, have a .211 batting average and a 5.17 ERA, with an 11-run deficit over their last 10 contests.

Injuries

Cardinals Injury Report

Masyn Winn: 10-Day IL (meniscus)
Nolan Arenado: 10-Day IL (shoulder)
Zack Thompson: 60-Day IL (lat)

Reds Injury Report

Ian Gibaut: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Wade Miley: 60-Day IL (flexor)
Rhett Lowder: 60-Day IL (forearm)
Carson Spiers: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Tyler Callihan: 60-Day IL (forearm)
Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Julian Aguiar: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Weather

Today at Busch Stadium, expect pleasant baseball weather with mostly sunny skies and a high near 78°F. There is little chance of precipitation, making for dry conditions on the field. Winds are light out of the southeast at 5-10 mph, providing minimal impact on play. Enjoy ideal weather for America’s pastime.

In summary

The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals open a pivotal NL Central matchup at Busch Stadium with both teams seeking momentum in the standings. Stellar starting pitching, powerful hitters, recent form, and impactful injuries all factor into this crucial clash. With ideal weather and the rivalry season series on the line, this promises to be an exciting game for fans and a key contest for the playoff chase. Stay tuned for live action as these division foes battle it out in St. Louis.

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