St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds: August 29, 2025 MLB Game Preview, Odds, and Key Players

Friday, August 29th, 2025

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds: MLB Matchup Preview for August 29, 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, August 29, at 5:40PM local time at Great American Ball Park. This NL Central battle sees the Reds hoping to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Cardinals look to build momentum late in the season.

Team Records and Standings

The Cincinnati Reds enter the game with a 68-66 overall record and are 36-29 when playing at home. They currently sit third in the NL Central and have maintained a team batting average of .246, ranking them 10th in the league.

The St. Louis Cardinals, at 66-69 overall, hold fourth place in the division. On the road, the Cardinals are 29-37 but have shown strong offensive potential, recording a 48-13 mark when scoring five or more runs.

This will be the eighth meeting between these division rivals in the 2025 season. The Cardinals hold a 4-3 edge in the season series so far.

Pitching Probables

For the Cardinals, Matthew Liberatore is expected to start on the mound. Liberatore has a 6-11 record, a 4.27 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and has recorded 98 strikeouts this season.

The Reds will counter with Zack Littell, who comes in with a 9-8 record, a 3.62 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts.

Betting Odds

The Reds are favored at -127, with the Cardinals listed at +107. The over/under for the game is set at 9 runs.

Weather

Today at Great American Ball Park, expect warm and pleasant baseball weather with temperatures in the mid-80s, mostly sunny skies, and virtually no chance of precipitation. Winds will be light, providing ideal conditions for players and fans alike.

Key Players to Watch

For Cincinnati, Gavin Lux stands out with a .275 batting average, 22 doubles, a triple, and five home runs this season. Over the last 10 games, Austin Hays is hitting .333 (13 for 39), with one home run and seven RBIs.

The Cardinals have been led by Willson Contreras, who is hitting .255 with 30 doubles, 19 home runs, and 73 RBIs. Alec Burleson has also contributed, going 13 for 42 with two doubles and a home run over his last 10 games.

Recent Performance

In their last 10 contests, the Reds have a 4-6 record, hitting .229 as a team with a 3.93 ERA, and have been outscored by 14 runs. The Cardinals are 5-5, batting .226 with a 4.66 ERA, and have been outscored by four runs during that stretch.

Injury Report

The Reds have several players on the injured list, including Graham Ashcraft (forearm), Ian Gibaut (shoulder), Tyler Stephenson (thumb), Chase Burns (elbow), Wade Miley (flexor), Rhett Lowder (forearm), Carson Spiers (shoulder), Tyler Callihan (forearm), Brandon Williamson (elbow), and Julian Aguiar (elbow).

The Cardinals are dealing with injuries to John King (back), Brendan Donovan (groin), Victor Scott II (ankle), Nolan Arenado (shoulder), and Zack Thompson (lat).

In summary

Friday’s matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds promises to be a crucial contest in the NL Central, with both teams vying to climb the standings. With favorable weather conditions and key players on both sides ready to make an impact, fans can expect an exciting and competitive game at Great American Ball Park.

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