Game Preview 5/1/25: Cardinals Vs Reds

Birds look to earn series win in Cincy.

The St. Louis Cardinals finished the month of April on a high note sweeping the Reds in a day-night double header where the bats FINALLY broke out with some home run power! Masyn Winn x2, Lars Nootbaar, Victor Scott II, Willson Contreras, and Pedro Pages all went deep in yesterday’s double dip affair outscoring the red legs 15 to 1. Finishing April with a record of 14-17 isn’t exactly what you want but if the team can continue to build off of what it did yesterday, then the New York Mets set to come to town starting Friday will be in for a tough battle at Busch.

Before that series takes place the Cardinals will try to take care of business by sending Matthew Liberatore to the mound (2-2 3.19 ERA) to oppose Andrew Abbott (2-0 3.60 ERA). Liberatore has pitched at least 6 IP every start so far this season and appears to be breaking out before our very eyes (a welcome and needed boost during the transition year.)

Cincinnati will send lefty Andrew Abbott to try and salvage a split with St. Louis. Abbott has made 3 starts this season. His first 2 were solid outings, but last time out was hit around a little at Coors field (shocker.) Opponents are hitting just .170 on the season and Abbott did strike out 11 against Baltimore on April 18th. So he is capable of putting together strong starts and will look to rebound in another tough pitcher environment of the Great American “small” park.

How to watch: FanDuel Sports Midwest

How to listen: KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM

First Pitch: 11:40 AM CST

Matchup:

STL: Matthew Liberatore (2-2 3.19 ERA 3.01 xERA 1.89 FIP 2.75 xFIP)

Vs

CIN: Andrew Abbott (2-0 3.60 ERA 2.63 xERA 4.61 FIP 4.01 xFIP)

Player to watch:

STL: Nolan Arenado: In 13 AB’s against Abbott, Arenado is hitting .462 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Back in the Cleanup spot look for Arenado to contribute in a hitter friendly environment against a pitcher he’s historically had success against.

CIN: Santiago Espinal: Espinal, has historically hit better against LHP than RHP and is coming off of a 3-4 performance in game 2 of the last nights double header. Look for Espinal to continue being a hit collector as he’s 9-20 (.450) AVG.