Cincinnati Reds (20-37, fifth in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (32-26, second in the NL Central)
St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Luis Castillo (2-3, 3.55 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 34 strikeouts); Cardinals: Andre Pallante (1-0, 1.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 20 strikeouts)
LINE: Cardinals -137, Reds +116; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Cincinnati Reds to open a three-game series.
St. Louis has a 16-11 record at home and a 32-26 record overall. The Cardinals are 24-3 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
Cincinnati has an 8-20 record in road games and a 20-37 record overall. The Reds are 11-26 in games when they have given up a home run.
Friday's game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 47 RBI for the Cardinals. Corey Dickerson is 3-for-9 with two home runs and two RBI over the last 10 games.
Brandon Drury has a .266 batting average to lead the Reds, and has 10 doubles and 11 home runs. Joey Votto is 12-for-36 with three home runs and 12 RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cardinals: 5-5, .240 batting average, 4.40 ERA, even run differential
Reds: 4-6, .280 batting average, 4.86 ERA, outscored opponents by one run
INJURIES: Cardinals: Corey Dickerson: 10-Day IL (calf), Jordan Hicks: 15-Day IL (forearm), Steven Matz: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Dylan Carlson: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jack Flaherty: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Reyes: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Reds: Albert Almora Jr.: day-to-day (undisclosed), Tyler Stephenson: day-to-day (hand), Nick Senzel: day-to-day (back), Mike Moustakas: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Vladimir Gutierrez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Tyler Naquin: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Justin Wilson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Connor Overton: 60-Day IL (back), Donovan Solano: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Lucas Sims: 15-Day IL (lower back), Jonathan India: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jake Fraley: 10-Day IL (knee), Nick Lodolo: 10-Day IL (back), Daniel Duarte: 60-Day IL (elbow), Max Schrock: 60-Day IL (calf), Justin Dunn: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tejay Antone: 60-Day IL (undisclosed)
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