Sunday Night Baseball Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals (27-22) and Cincinnati Reds (22-25) will continue a National League Central series Sunday night at the Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds

Cardinals OF Matt Holliday has enjoyed success against Reds SP Mike Leake

St. Louis has won four of its last five games, including a 6-3 victory over Cincinnati as -118 road favorites Saturday, while going OVER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday will lead the offensive charge in this affair, considering he’s 11-for-26 with a home run and six RBIs in his career against tonight’s opposing starter. St. Louis is 3-2 as road favorites of -125 to -150 this season, with the UNDER going 3-2 in that situation.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (7-2, 1.85 ERA) has led he club to three consecutive victories, including a 5-0 shutout win at home over the Arizona Cardinals last time out, as he allowed just a single hit in going the distance. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA in six road appearances—surrendering just a single home run in 43 combined frames. In 21 lifetime appearances (16 starts) versus the Reds, Wainwright has compiled a 6-9 record and 4.75 ERA.

Cincinnati had its two-game winning streak snapped yesterday, while it went OVER the betting total for the sixth time in seven opportunities. It’s important to point out that the franchise is 1-9 in its last 10 series against St. Louis. Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is one of the main players to handicap in this matchup, as he’s a .304 career hitter versus Wainwright. Cincinnati is 8-2 at home when the total is 7 or less, with the UNDER going 5-4-1 in that situation.

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (2-3, 2.91 ERA) hasn’t earned a decision in his last three trips to the mound, but he helped the team pick up a 4-3 road victory over the Washington Nationals last week. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA in three home efforts, with opposing hitters batting just .177 against him. In 10 lifetime outings (nine starts) versus the Cardinals, Leake has tallieda 3-4 record and 5.06 ERA.