Reds at Cardinals, Game 1 - Preview and Lineups

I hope you’ve had fun drafting with us over the last day and a half, but now it’s time to get back to real baseball games being played live on your television set!

After losing a disappointing weekend series at home against the Nationals, the Reds used the off day Monday to travel to St. Louis where they’ll be taking on the Dirty Birds for three games before flying back across Cincinnati to visit the Phils for a weekend set.

The Reds come into the series only 3.5 games back of the Cardinals for third place in the division. The Cardinals, however, are fresh off a home sweep of the Chicago Cubs and are winners of their last four.

The Reds will take on fireballing rookie lefty Genesis Cabrera, who will be making only the second start of his young career. Last Wednesday he managed only 3.2 innings pitched against Philly, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. He did dial up his fastball to 99mph in the outing.

Genesis came to the Cardinals as part of the Tommy Pham deal at last year’s trade deadline and is ranked as the Cardinals eight best prospect according to MLB.com. In 39.2 IP at Memphis this season, he owns a 6.35 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP, though the PCL is notoriously offense friendly.

Luis Castillo will take the mound for the Reds, looking to turn things around a bit after a couple of so-so starts. While only allowing two earned runs last Monday against Pittsburgh, Castillo walked four and allowed six hits, this coming just one start after only being able to muster 2.2 IP against the Brewers. He’ll need to and will be better.

Yadier Molina will miss this series as he currently sits on the IL with a busted flush handle left thumb. He will be missed by all.

Reds lineup

Cardinals lineup