Reds vs Cardinals Preview: Lowder to Shine in St. Louis

Cincinnati comes to Busch Stadium riding a three-game losing streak, sitting at 31-32. Their biggest problem right now? Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz is out with a hamstring injury and won't return until late June. That's huge because De La Cruz is their superstar. Without him, the Reds have to lean on Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo at shortstop. The team's pitching staff carries big questions too. Hunter Greene's elbow surgery has him sidelined until July. Rhett Lowder just came back from shoulder trouble and will start today, but he won't be fully stretched out yet after missing time.

St. Louis is 34-28 overall and hot right now with three wins in a row. At home in Busch Stadium, they're 18-16. Michael McGreevy takes the mound today for the Cardinals. The home team's pitching staff is young and hungry to prove itself. Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May need to step up this season. Riley O'Brien is handling closer duties. The Cardinals aren't built around one big star pitcher like some teams. Instead, they're counting on multiple young arms to deliver solid starts. Their bullpen needs to hold things down late in games too.

The Reds and Cardinals have already split two games this series. Friday's first game went 5-4 to St. Louis after a wild finish. Saturday's second game went 10-3 to the Cardinals, who exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning. McLain homered for Cincinnati to keep them in the fight early. The Cardinals' hitters—Walker, Nootbaar, and others—crushed balls all over the field. Both teams can score in bunches. Today's game will test which offense stays hot and which pitcher gives their team a real chance to win the series finale.