Reds vs. Cardinals Series Preview

This weekend's 3 game set at Great American Ballpark features two of the best teams in the entire MLB. The series has huge implications in the NL Central Division race. The Reds are currently 3 games back of St. Louis, so a sweep is necessary to even the division standings. The Reds are reeling a little bit right now. They just lost a series to the Rockies, an
d could have locked down a sweep against the Pirates if the bullpen closed the door last Sunday. Instead, the Reds fell back to 12 games above .500 at this point and need to prove that they are legitimate contenders for the pennant. The team has a record against winning teams well below .500, so Cincinnati needs to pick it up against the teams it might face in October.

Cardinals at Reds Game 1: Mike Leake will be going up against Adam Wainwright in tonight's opening game of the series. In his last 3 starts, Leake is 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA. He has been as good as anyone in the majors over the last few weeks. Wainwright has consistently been one of the best pitchers out there, and he is 3-0 in his last 3 starts. Tonight is shaping up to be a pitchers duel, but with Brandon Phillips returning to the lineup after dealing with a bruised forearm, the Reds could have the edge.

Cardinals at Reds Game 2: The Cardinals will send one of their young pitchers on the hill in lefty Tyler Lyons. Lyons is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA. He has made 3 starts this season and suffered his first defeat in his last start. He will be opposed by Mat Latos. Latos should have earned the win in his last start against the Pirates, but the Reds blew a lead and lost in 11 innings. Joey Votto is 1 for his last 12 at bats and 3 for his last 23, so it will be vital for the Reds' best and number 3 hitter in the lineup to get going in this series.

Cardinals at Reds Game 3: Lance Lynn will go up against Bronson Arroyo on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN in the best and probably most underrated pitching matchup of the series. Lynn came on the scene last year for the Cardinals in the rotation, proving to be a plus starter in the league. Lynn has only lost once this season and is tied for second in the majors in wins with 8. Bronson Arroyo can be dominant or awful on the mound against the Cardinals, depending on if his breaking ball is spinning well. Arroyo glided through 8 innings against the Rockies in his last start, and if he pitches close to the way he did against Colorado, the Reds should have a chance to take the series.