Reds at Cardinals 8/31/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds lost on Wednesday 13-12 to the Milwaukee Brewers in 10 innings. Reds closer Raisel Iglesias gave up a winning home run to Jesus Aguilar in the 10th. Cincinnati hit five home runs in the loss. Eugenio Suarez hit home run No. 30 on the season for the Reds.

St. Louis lost on Wednesday 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The loss dropped the Cardinals to 4 ½ games behind the first place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. Even with the loss, St. Louis has won 16 of its last 20 and holds the No. 1 NL wildcard spot a half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. Scooter Gennett leads Cincinnati with a .314 batting average and team high 154 hits. Eugenio Suarez is the Reds’ leader in home runs with 30 and RBIs with 95. Cincinnati has a team batting average of .259 while opposing hitters are averaging .271 at the plate against Reds pitching. On Friday, the Reds will send Homer Bailey to the mound. The right-hander this season is 1-12 with an ERA of 6.17, 66 Ks and 30 BBs.

Jose Martinez leads St. Louis with a .309 batting average and in RBIs with 75. Matt Carpenter is the Cardinals leader in home runs with 34. St. Louis has a team batting average of .251 while opposing hitters are averaging .242 at the plate against Cardinals pitching. On Friday, the Cardinals will send Austin Gomber to the mound. The lefthander this season is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.79, 42 Ks and 24 BBs.