Pick 5:- St. louis Cardinals ML (1.80)

The St. Louis Cardinals are primed to clinch victory over the Cincinnati Reds in tonight's MLB face-off, as their red-hot lineup and consistent winning edge them ahead in this tight contest. 

Baseball fans, buckle up for an intense match-up as the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds go head-to-head in the third game of their four-game series. With both teams having split the first two games, the stakes are higher than ever in this battle of the bats. But fear not, fellow Cardinals supporters, because our boys in red are looking like the better side and are ready to snatch this win from the grasp of the Reds.

Let's dive into the details, shall we? The Cardinals have a secret weapon in their arsenal, and his name is Steven Matz. Although his April performance was a bit rough around the edges, the lefty has been turning things around in May, allowing one or fewer earned runs in two of his last three starts. Matz was able to hold the Los Angeles Dodgers runless over 4.2 frames in his latest outing, striking out six batters in the process. With his recent improvement, he’s a solid contender to keep the Reds in check tonight.

On the other side of the mound, the Reds are putting their faith in Ben Lively, who has only started three games this season and has lasted five innings or less in each of them. Lively's stats may be decent, with three earned runs over 11 frames, 10 strikeouts, and one walk, but his limited experience on the mound makes him a less reliable choice compared to Matz's recent upswing.

Moreover, the Cardinals' lineup has been on fire against right-handers, and with the Reds' bullpen struggling this year, it's the perfect opportunity for the Cards to pile on the runs and support Matz. With the last two games in this series seeing totals of 11 and 13, it's clear that both offenses are in a good groove right now, and neither Matz nor Lively are likely to halt that momentum.

Now let's take a look at some of the injuries that might impact tonight's game. The Reds are missing some key players, including SP Nick Lodolo (leg), RP Fernando Cruz (shoulder), OF TJ Friedl (oblique), RP Tony Santillan (back), 1B Joey Votto (shoulder), RP Connor Overton (elbow), and OF Henry Ramos (hip). Meanwhile, the Cardinals have their fair share of injuries as well, with OF Dylan Carlson (ankle), OF Tyler O'Neill (back), SP/RP Jake Woodford (shoulder), and INF Jose Fermin (quad) out of the lineup.

Despite these injuries, the Cardinals' depth and recent performances give them an edge over the Reds. The DraftKings Sportsbook odds are in favor of the Cardinals, with a -155 moneyline, while the Reds are at +135. The total for the game is set at 11, indicating a high-scoring affair, and given the current form of both offenses, it's no surprise.

So, fellow Cardinals fans and betting enthusiasts, it's time to rally behind our team and witness them soar over the Reds in tonight's MLB showdown. With a red-hot lineup, an improving pitcher in Steven Matz, and the favorable odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, all signs point to the St. Louis Cardinals claiming this victory and taking the lead in the four-game series. Let's go Cards!