Cardinals vs Reds Prediction, Pick and Preview, August 31 (8/31): MLB

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Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are in Cincinnati for the second game of a three game series with the Reds.  The Cardinals took game one 3-1, jumping up early with 2 runs in the top of the 1st, and Lester pitching lights out to hold the Reds to 1 run.  The Cardinals have now won 3 of 4 as they fight for a Wild Card spot into September, being 2.5 games behind the Reds.  Yesterday's loss was the 3rd in a row for the Reds.

The Cardinals batters haven't been electric at the plate outside of a 13 run game at Pittsburgh, but pitching has done them well over their last 4 games.  They've averaged 4.3 runs per game over their last 10.

The Reds have only been able to score 1 run in each of their last three games, and have averaged 2.75 runs per game over their last 8.

Pitching matchup

Cardinals

Miles Mikolas (0-1, 2.70 ERA) makes his 4th start for the Cardinals, coming off an elbow injury that put him on the injury list for most of the season.  He's made 2 starts since in August since coming back, pitching a combined 9.1 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 10 hits, 3 walks and 8 strikeouts.  Reds batters have gone 20 for 69 (.290 AVG) against Mikolas, with 7 home runs, 4 walks and 12 strikeouts.

Reds

Sonny Gray (6-6, 3.91 ERA) makes his 21st start this year for the Reds.  He's been a solid pitcher over the last 3 years, with a 2.87 ERA 2019, a 3.70 ERA 2020 and now a 3.91 ERA 2021.  He's had two great back to back starts vs the Brewers and Marlins, going a combined 13.0 innings, giving up no earned runs, 4 hits, 4 walks and 11 strikeouts.  He's faced the Cardinals twice this season and gotten rocked both times, however.  He's gone a combined 7.0 innings, giving up 13 earned runs on 14 hits, 4 walks and 9 strikeouts.  Cardinals batters have gone 22 for 80 (.275 AVG) against Gray, with 4 home runs, 9 walks and 22 strikeouts.

Prediction

Cardinals batters are hitting the ball better than the Reds.  Mikolas makes only his 4th start, and has done decently since his return.  Gray was phenomenal in his last two outings, however he's faced the Cardinals twice this season and hasn't gotten past the third inning, giving up 13 earned runs in 7.0 combined innings.  The Cardinals have won 3 of 4, while the Reds have dropped 3 straight.  You could say the third time is the charm for Gray against the Cardinals, but we see the Cardinals carrying their momentum and once again hitting Gray early on.  Take the road dog.

PICK: Cardinals money line (+135)

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