Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and best bets

The Cincinnati Reds (19-25) visit the St. Louis Cardinals (19-18) for a three-game set at Busch Stadium, starting with Friday's opener at 8:15 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Reds-Cardinals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Thursday: The Reds lost at the Chicago Cubs 8-5, dropping two of three at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals split a doubleheader with the visiting Detroit Tigers, rolling in the opener 12-2, but losing the nightcap 6-3.

Reds at Cardinals: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Luis Castillo vs. RHP Adam Wainwright

Castillo is 1-5 with a 3.95 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 19 ER) and 60 K in 8 starts.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K at Pittsburgh Pirates Sept. 4 - Reds won 4-2
• 2020 on the road: 1-4, 4.44 ERA (26 1/3 IP, 13 ER) in 5 starts
• Career vs. Cardinals: 3-4, 4.29 ERA (56 2/3 IP, 27 ER) in 10 starts, including 2-1 with a 5.24 ERA in 4 starts last season

Wainwright is 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA (40 1/3 IP, 12 ER) in 6 starts.

• Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K at Cubs Saturday - Cardinals won 4-2
• 2020 vs. Reds: 1 start (Aug. 20), no-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K - Cardinals won 5-4
• Career vs. Reds: 10-12, 5.14 ERA (168 IP, 96 ER) in 28 starts and 5 relief appearances

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Reds at Cardinals: Key injuries

(Get the latest injury news here.)

Reds

• 2B Mike Moustakas (foot) questionable
• OF Nick Senzel (undisclosed) out
• RP Tyler Thornburg (elbow) questionable
• OF Jesse Winker (back) questionable

Cardinals

• OF Dexter Fowler (personal) out
• RP Giovanny Gallegos (groin) questionable

Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

Reds at Cardinals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Cardinals 4, Reds 2

Moneyline (ML)

Time is running out for the Reds (-115), who have 16 games left and are 3.5 games out of a playoff berth. They'll have to jump four teams to reach the second wild-card spot. They continue to shoot themselves in the foot with fielding errors, failing to hit in the clutch and bad bullpen outings.

There should be a sense of urgency, but you can put a fork in Cincy after this weekend series.

Back Wainwright and the CARDINALS (+ 105) as the STRONGEST PLAY, which should be 1½ times your usual wager.

New to sports betting? Every winning $1 bet on the Cardinals ML will profit $1.05. Every $1.15 bet on the Reds will profit $1 if they win.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. St. Louis +1.5 (-162) is a bit costly, while Cincy -1.5 (+135) offers decent value.

The Reds are the worst team in the majors against the RL at 16-28 and they're 11-14 vs. the RL on the road. The Cards are 19-18 vs. the RL and 8-12 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 8 (- 110) with a small-unit play. The Reds' .210 batting average ranks last in the majors, while their 3.84 runs per game ranks 29th.

My fear is their bullpen implodes late allowing the Cards to hit the Over on their own. ( Small-play wagers should be half your usual bet).

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