Cardinals vs Reds Prediction 5/22/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Cardinals vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Friday, May 22^nd in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 26-24 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 13-11 home record and are coming off a 9-4 win against the Phillies. They will face the Mets and the Braves next.

The Reds have a .229 batting average this season, .312 OBP and .394 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.71 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .290 batting average. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 34, adding a team-high 12 home runs.

Chris Paddack (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 0-5 record, 7.07 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.

St. Louis Cardinals Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals have a 28-21 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL Central. They have a 15-8 away record and are coming off a 6-2 loss against the Pirates. They will face the Brewers and the Cubs next.

The Cardinals have a .240 batting average this season, .320 OBP and .389 Slugging percentage. St. Louis’ pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Jordan Walker is the team’s best hitter with a .295 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 35 and a team-high 13 home runs.

Kyle Leahy (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals, and he has a 5-3 record, 3.94 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: May 22, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Chris Paddack      Record this season: 0-5      ERA: 7.07
• Home Record: 0-3
• Last 5 against Cardinals: 1-2

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have lost four of their last five games against National League opponents.
• The Reds have covered the run line each of their last seven night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against the Reds following a loss.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games.
• The Reds have won the first inning in each of their last six Friday home games against NL Central opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kyle Leahy      Record this season: 5-3      ERA: 3.94
• Road Record: 3-1
• Last 5 against Reds: 0-0

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Cardinals have won each of their last 10 night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have lost each of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line each of their last 10 night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a road win.
• The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games against the Reds.
• The Cardinals have won the first inning in each of their last three games as underdogs against the Reds.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last six home games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cardinals’ last six road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cardinals’ last five night games against NL Central opponents.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Chris Paddack has recorded seven or more strikeouts in five of his six previous appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 16 games against NL opponents.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances against the Cardinals after not playing the previous day.
• Sal Stewart is one of only two players to record 10+ Home Runs and 10+ Stolen Bases this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Alec Burleson has hit a home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Lars Nootbaar has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
• Jordan Walker ranks T8th in the league in Home Runs (13) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Reds rank 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (231).
• The Reds rank T28th in the league for home runs allowed this season (68).
• The Cardinals rank T29th in the league for triples this season (2).
• The Cardinals rank 29th in the league for strikeouts this season (358).

Cardinals vs Reds Prediction

The Reds are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Cardinals but are 1-2 in their last three visits in Cincinnati.

In this Cardinals vs Reds Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. The Cardinals have the pitching edge as Kyle Leahy goes up against a struggling Chris Paddack. Leahey has just two earned runs across his last three starts, while Paddack has been atrocious at home with a 15.88 home ERA and was torched in his previous start against the Cardinals this season with 5 earned runs. Take the Cardinals to win this one on the road.