Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Series Finale Showdown in NL Central on September 17, 2025

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview: September 17, 2025 at Busch Stadium

The Cincinnati Reds (75-76, third in the NL Central) are set to face off against the St. Louis Cardinals (74-78, fourth in the NL Central) on Wednesday, September 17, at Busch Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 12:15 PM local time, as both teams look to secure an important victory in the ongoing NL Central series.

Weather

Today at Busch Stadium, expect mostly sunny skies with a high around 77°F, perfect conditions for baseball. There’s little to no chance of precipitation, and light southwest winds at 5-10 mph will have minimal impact on gameplay. Fans and players alike can look forward to comfortable weather for today’s game.

Pitching Matchup

The Reds send Brady Singer (13-10, 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 149 strikeouts) to the mound. He’ll be matched up against Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante (6-14, 5.34 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 104 strikeouts). With the Reds favored slightly at -115 and the Cardinals at -105, oddsmakers set the over/under at 8.5 runs, anticipating a competitive and potentially high-scoring affair.

Team Records and Recent Performance

St. Louis has posted a 42-35 record at home, with an overall mark of 74-78. The Cardinals have struggled defensively when allowing home runs, holding a 35-60 record in such games.

The Reds have gone 35-42 on the road but maintain a slightly better overall standing at 75-76. Cincinnati has excelled in games where their offense generates eight or more hits, earning a 55-33 record in those contests.

This matchup marks the 13th meeting between the two teams this season, with the Cardinals leading the season series 7-5.

Players to Watch

For St. Louis, Brendan Donovan stands out with 26 doubles and 10 home runs this season. Ivan Herrera has also contributed recently, going 11-for-39 with two doubles and two home runs in his last 10 games.

The Reds feature Spencer Steer, who has tallied 20 doubles, two triples, and 17 home runs. Rookie Sal Stewart has been hot at the plate, compiling a 9-for-32 stretch with four home runs over his last 10 games.

Recent Trends

In their last 10 games, the Cardinals are 4-6 with a .234 team batting average and a 4.20 ERA, having been outscored by 12 runs. The Reds have gone 5-5 over the same span, batting .204 as a team with a 4.29 ERA, and have been outscored by four runs.

Injury Report

For the Cardinals, Willson Contreras is day-to-day (biceps), Masyn Winn is on the 10-Day IL (meniscus), and Zack Thompson is on the 60-Day IL (lat injury).

The Reds have Spencer Steer listed as day-to-day (neck), while Ian Gibaut (shoulder), Wade Miley (flexor), Rhett Lowder (forearm), Carson Spiers (shoulder), Tyler Callihan (forearm), Brandon Williamson (elbow), and Julian Aguiar (elbow) are all on the 60-Day IL.

In summary

Wednesday’s matchup at Busch Stadium offers a pivotal game in the NL Central race, as the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals look to gain ground in the standings. With strong pitching matchups, key players to watch on both sides, and ideal weather conditions, fans can expect an exciting and competitive afternoon of baseball in St. Louis.

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