St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Monday August 17 2026
The Cardinals vs Reds doubleheader opener kicks off Monday, August 17 at 1:40 p.m. ET, with Game 2 following at 6:40 p.m., and St. Louis enters the day with several statistical edges in its favor. For more matchups like this one, check out our daily MLB picks before first pitch.
TLDR: Quick Picks and Prediction
- Side: Cardinals Moneyline (-112)
- Total: Over 9.5 (+100)
- Final Score Prediction: Cardinals 7, Reds 5
Odds and Line Movement
Current Odds
| Date | Time | Moneyline (STL) | Moneyline (CIN) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/17 | 07:40:47 AM | -112 | +104 | 9.5 (O +100 / U -120) |
Line Movement - Moneyline
| Date | Time | St. Louis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/17 | 07:36:25 AM | -109 | +101 |
| 08/17 | 07:40:47 AM | -112 | +104 |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/17 | 07:36:25 AM | 9.5o +100 | 9.5u -121 |
| 08/17 | 07:40:47 AM | 9.5o +100 | 9.5u -120 |
Cardinals vs Reds Key Matchups and Game Preview
Mathews Gets the Ball for St. Louis
Left-hander Quinn Mathews is listed to start Game 1 for the Cardinals, while Cincinnati's starter remains undecided. Mathews has made only a brief major-league appearance this season, posting a 0-1 record with a 3.60 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across five innings, allowing six hits with three strikeouts and three walks. That small sample makes him difficult to evaluate, but Cincinnati's uncertainty on the mound creates its own betting concern, particularly in the first game of a doubleheader when both teams will want to preserve bullpen arms for the nightcap.
Reds Face an Undecided Starter
Cincinnati has not named a starter for this game, which adds a layer of uncertainty for both clubs as they try to manage arms across two games in one day. That uncertainty, paired with Cincinnati's existing pitching-depth issues, is a central storyline for this opener.
St. Louis
The Cardinals own the better offensive profile in several important categories, hitting .240 with a .316 OBP and 548 runs scored compared with Cincinnati's .226 average, .306 OBP and 502 runs. Jordan Walker has supplied 24 home runs, a .284 average and 88 RBI, while Alec Burleson is batting .288 with a .355 OBP, a .494 slugging percentage, 21 homers and 90 RBI.
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Reds Power Bats Add Scoring Upside
Cincinnati has shown considerably more home-run power, leading 161-129 in that category, which makes the Reds dangerous against an inexperienced starter. Sal Stewart has 26 home runs and 91 RBI, while Elly De La Cruz is batting .262 with a .344 OBP and .477 slugging percentage.
Cardinals Hold the Team Pitching Edge
St. Louis also holds a team pitching advantage with a 4.04 ERA and 1.34 WHIP compared with Cincinnati's 4.51 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, giving the Cardinals a meaningful edge in run prevention even with Mathews' limited track record.
Cincinnati
Injuries could further strain the Reds across both games of this doubleheader. Spencer Steer is on the 10-day injured list, and pitchers Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson and Tony Santillan are also sidelined, creating potential pitching-depth problems as the day progresses.
Cardinals
St. Louis is 63-61 and sits third in the NL Central, while Cincinnati is 59-64 and trails St. Louis by 3.5 games. St. Louis has also won four of its last five games and owns a 5-3 advantage in the season series. On the injury side, the Cardinals are without Ramon Urias and Max Rajcic, both on the 60-day IL.
Betting Trends: STL vs CIN
- St. Louis has won four of its last five games and leads the season series 5-3 over Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati trails St. Louis by 3.5 games in the NL Central standings.
- St. Louis's team ERA (4.04) and WHIP (1.34) both outpace Cincinnati's marks (4.51 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
- Cincinnati holds a power advantage with 161 team home runs compared to St. Louis's 129.
Key Injuries and Things To Know: STL vs CIN
- Cincinnati: Spencer Steer (10-day IL), Graham Ashcraft (out), Brandon Williamson (out), Tony Santillan (out), starter undecided for Game 1.
- St. Louis: Ramon Urias (60-day IL), Max Rajcic (60-day IL).
- This is Game 1 of a doubleheader, with Game 2 first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. ET, making bullpen management a factor for both clubs across the day.
Cardinals vs Reds Side and Over/Under Picks
- Side Pick: Cardinals Moneyline (-112)
- Total Pick: Over 9.5 (+100)
Cincinnati's uncertain starter and depleted pitching depth give St. Louis an opportunity to build a multi-run margin, making the Cardinals moneyline the preferred side play. On the total, Mathews' limited MLB track record and Cincinnati's home-run power create scoring upside on both sides, supporting the Over in this spot.
Final Score Prediction
- Cardinals 7, Reds 5
How to Wager On Cardinals vs Reds
Bettors shopping this Cardinals vs Reds opener should note the moneyline moved from -109/+101 to -112/+104, while the total held steady at 9.5 with slight juice movement on the under side. Locking in a number before further movement is worth considering given the uncertainty around Cincinnati's starter and St. Louis's edges across pitching and recent form. If you want extra tools to help shape a play like this one, our AI picks hub breaks down several model-driven resources, including our Dimers review and our Oddible review, both of which can be used alongside the trends and matchup notes covered here to build out a full card for the day.
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