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Cincinnati (74-75) at St. Louis (73-77)
- When: Sep 15 2025, 7:45 PM
- Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
- Where to watch: FDSMW
Reds vs. Cardinals – Game Betting Preview & Prediction
Moneyline: St. Louis -125
Spread: St. Louis -1.5 (+159)
Total: 8.5
Cincinnati Reds Betting Outlook
The Cincinnati Reds (74–75) head into this matchup needing to stop the bleeding after an ugly three-game sweep at the hands of Oakland. That stumble pushed them 2.5 games behind the Mets in the battle for the final NL wild-card spot. Every game matters now, and this series opener in St. Louis carries real weight.
The Reds will look to Zack Littell (9–8, 3.78 ERA) to stabilize things. Littell pitched well in his last outing, limiting the Padres to just two runs in six innings of a 4–2 victory. He showcased strong command, retiring 11 straight at one point. Still, his history against the Cardinals is rocky. Littell is winless in 10 career appearances versus St. Louis (0–2, 6.04 ERA) and was tagged for four runs over seven innings when he faced them in late August. If Cincinnati is going to make a push, they’ll need Littell to shake off those struggles.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Outlook
The Cardinals (73–77) snapped a five-game skid with a tight 3–2 win over Milwaukee on Sunday. That victory kept them four games back in the NL wild-card hunt, but with time running out, they’ll need to string wins together quickly to stay relevant.
Matthew Liberatore (7–12, 4.35 ERA) takes the mound for St. Louis. The lefty struggled in his most recent start, giving up five runs and a pair of homers in just four innings against Seattle. He hasn’t had much luck against Cincinnati this season either, posting a 5.63 ERA across two starts. However, his career numbers suggest he’s fared better overall against the Reds when used in relief.
The Cardinals are getting healthier, which could be a spark. Brendan Donovan returned from the IL over the weekend, and Willson Contreras is expected back in the lineup after a day off. More importantly, Nolan Arenado is slated to rejoin the team for this series after rehabbing shoulder soreness. On the flip side, they lose shortstop Masyn Winn for the year with a knee injury, a significant blow to their infield depth.
Prediction & Betting Angle
MyBookie Oddsmakers have St. Louis set as the moneyline favorite at -125, with the total posted at 8.5 runs. Both teams remain in the wild-card mix, but the Reds enter this one reeling while the Cardinals come in off a morale-boosting win.
Littell’s track record against St. Louis is a red flag, and with Arenado likely returning to the lineup, the Cardinals hold a slim edge. Liberatore is far from dominant, but his offense should provide enough support in this spot.
Score Prediction: Cardinals 5, Reds 4
Pick: St. Louis (-125)
Total: Over 8.5 (-109)
- MLB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
