Monday’s MLB slate opens with Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the Reds (59-64) host the St. Louis Cardinals (63-61) in an NL Central matchup at Great American Ball Park. These two teams will see plenty of each other over the next few days, as this is now a five-game series with the doubleheader. They also recently met in late July, when the Reds won that series 2-1 in St. Louis.
The Reds enter Monday 17 games behind Milwaukee and in last place in the NL Central, but Cincinnati is still trying to stay alive in the Wild Card race, although it now finds itself seven games back of the final spot. The Cardinals are also unlikely to challenge for the division title at this point in the season, but they’ve won each of their last four series, helping them gain ground in the NL Wild Card race as they sit just 3.5 games back of a playoff spot.
Quinn Mathews, the Cardinals’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is set to make the start in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader in what will be just his second career MLB start. The 25-year-old left-hander made his MLB debut in a loss to Toronto on Aug. 1, allowing six hits, three walks, and two earned runs over five innings. However, he’s 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA and a .179 opposing batting average across 21 starts at Triple-A Memphis this season. The Reds will counter with 34-year-old left-hander Kent Emanuel, who last pitched in the big leagues in 2024 with Miami.
Cardinals vs. Reds Odds
The Cardinals are listed as road favorites at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader:
- Moneyline: Cardinals -110, Reds +100
- Run Line: Cardinals -1.5 (+145), Reds +1.5 (-155)
- Total (Runs): Over 9.5 (+105), Under 9.5 (-115)
Hard Rock Bet’s 10¢ Summer Sale is still going strong as the MLB playoff race heats up in August. Qualifying pregame Moneyline, Run Line, and Total markets feature reduced-vig dime lines, giving players tighter pricing on eligible wagers throughout the month.
Cardinals vs. Reds Predictions
Monday afternoon’s Cardinals vs. Reds game offers the first opportunity of the day to get in on the baseball betting action at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. Check out the Stats Hub for insights and inspiration to help make picks like the one below:
Reds vs. Cardinals Best Bet: Alec Burleson Over 0.5 RBIs (+135)
Alec Burleson is having an impressive season with the Cardinals, batting .288 with an .849 OPS and 21 home runs. His 31 doubles are currently the most in MLB, while his 90 RBIs are the second-most entering Monday’s action.
Not only has Burleson been enjoying a very good season overall, but the Cardinals’ first baseman has remained hot in August. Burleson is batting .340 with a .780 slugging percentage, six home runs, and an MLB-leading 19 RBIs this month.
It also helps that the players in front of him are getting on base and making things happen. Burleson is batting cleanup for Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader, while Jordan Walker, who owns a .313 batting average in August, is batting third right in front of him. Iván Herrera, who has recorded at least one hit in 10 of his 14 games played this month and has also drawn five walks, is batting second. Joshua Báez, who made history in his MLB debut Saturday by becoming the first player to hit three home runs in his first three career at-bats, will lead off.
Let’s also not forget that Burleson and the Cardinals will face Kent Emanuel to start the game, who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2024. That could certainly benefit a player and lineup that have been enjoying plenty of recent success.
- Reds vs. Cardinals Player Prop Pick for Aug. 17: Alec Burleson Over 0.5 RBIs (+135)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for STL-CIN
Joshua Báez went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Sunday following his historic three-home run performance in his debut, but his home run prop is still attracting the most action in the player prop markets for Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader:
- Joshua Báez – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Alec Burleson – Over 1.5 Total Bases
- Elly De La Cruz – Over 0.5 Hits
- Elly De La Cruz – Over 1.5 Total Bases
- Alec Burleson – Over 0.5 Home Runs
Cardinals vs. Reds Game Info
- 📍 Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
- 📅 Date: Monday, Aug. 17
- ⏰ First Pitch: 1:40 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Cardinals: Quinn Mathews
- Reds: Kent Emanuel
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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