After a rain out last night the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals will play two games today in a day-night split doubleheader. There will be two game previews today. First pitch for game one is set for 1:10pm.
Starting Lineups
St. Louis Cardinals
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
| Tommy Edman – 2B | Jonathan India – 2B |
| Paul Goldschmidt – 1B | Tyler Naquin – CF |
| Tyler O’Neill – LF | Nick Castellanos – RF |
| Nolan Arenado – 3B | Joey Votto – 1B |
| Dylan Carlson – RF | Mike Moustakas – 3B |
| Edmundo Sosa – SS | Kyle Farmer – SS |
| Harrison Bader – CF | Tucker Barnhart – C |
| Andrew Knizner – C | Max Schrock – LF |
| Miles Mikolas – SP | Wade Miley – SP |
Starting Pitchers
Wade Miley
It’s been a very good season for Wade Miley and he’s coming off of a 7-inning, shutout performance with five strikeouts against the Miami Marlins in his last outing. For the season his ERA sits at 2.74. He’s allowed two runs in 11.0 innings this season against the Cardinals – last facing them on June 6th.
Teams haven’t started many lefties against Miley this year and for good reason, too. Even the ones who are deemed good enough to face him have hit just .176/.233/.222 against him on the year in 117 trips to the plate. Righties have had more success, but only by comparison. They’ve managed to hit just .255/.319/.391 on the year in 482 plate appearances against him. Miley has pitched better at home, at least when it comes to ERA as his 2.40 mark at Great American Ball Park bests his 3.07 mark on the road.
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 89.7 | 85.3 | 74.9 | 79.0 | 81.6 |
| Usage | 17% | 48% | 4% | 4% | 26% |
Miles Mikolas
After missing all of the 2020 season and most of the 2021 season, Miles Mikolas is back in the Cardinals rotation. The 32-year-old has made three starts since his return and given up four earned runs in 13.1 innings (2.70 ERA). Mikolas made one start in May and then didn’t pitch again until August 20th.
Pitch usage from 2021
| 4-Seam | 2-Seam | Change | Slider | Curve | |
| Velo | 92.7 | 91.9 | 87.4 | 86.9 | 75.8 |
| Usage | 28% | 24% | 7% | 22% | 18% |
When and Where
- Game time: 1:10pm ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 76°, sunny, 2% chance of rain
News and Notes
Reds September call ups
At least for now the Cincinnati Reds have called up Alejo Lopez and Delino DeShields as September rosters expand to 28 players. Worth noting that Jose Barrero was not yet eligible to be recalled since he must spend 10 days in the minors since being optioned.
Brad Brach to begin rehab today
#Reds reliever Brad Brach will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville today.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 1, 2021
NL Central Standings
Playoff odds via Fangraphs
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff % |
| Brewers | 81 | 52 | 0 | 100% |
| Reds | 71 | 62 | 10.0 | 51.0% |
| Cardinals | 67 | 63 | 12.5 | 5.7% |
| Cubs | 58 | 75 | 23.0 | 0.0% |
| Pirates | 48 | 84 | 32.5 | 0.0% |
Posting early since my Division Manager here at work decided to schedule a 1:30 pm Senior Staff meeting! How rude!
Very rude.
Quite
In looking at today’s Game 1 batting order, (given the players that were chosen to start) my first inclination is to flip Moose and Farmer. I wouldn’t hit Votto and Moose back-to-back. But we’ll see how it works out. Go Reds!
Did some “number crunching” before the first game of the current series with the Cards! Following today’s game with the D’Backs, the Padre’s schedule is absolutelybrutal. They only play 2 games against teams with losing records the remainder of the season. The Dirty Birds play the Reds, of course, for 5 more games! However, they have TEN (10) more games against the Brewers! In addition to the 5 games left with the Cards, the Reds have 3 home games against the Dodgers and 2 home games against the Chisox! Hopefully the Chisox will have clinched their Division and will be resting some of their statters, especially the SPs. The team I am worried about in the NL Wild Card race is the Phillies! The Phillies only play 6 more games against teams with winning records (3 @ ATL and 3 @MIL). Need to get back on the winning track today! As the saying goes, “Can’t sweep a Double-Header without winning the first game”!
Nice breakdown.
+100
Totally agree. The Phillies have 20 against Colorado, Miami, Pittsburgh, Cubs and Baltimore. The Phillies choked last year and lost their last 7 out of 8 to let the Reds sneak in. Hoping for a repeat.
Amen to that!
Like Miley with the afternoon start. Stop the cardnils. Interesting moves made for the 2 extra spots. TIme for the reds to stop this slide
Agree on the Miley. I was surprised they didnt bring up Freeman. Lol
off the 40 man, short of a spate of injuries, we are not seeing him again
Stupid Harrison Bader killing the Reds again !! Unbelievable
Miley throwing batting practice
Well that stinks.
Delino DeShields? Seriously! I thought he last played on the Montreal Expos!
The last Reds game I seen in person was against the Expos.
Come on Dennis , you aren’t surprised. As for your schedule breakdown, good info but the Reds actually have to win the games they should. And they haven’t been.
Painfully aware of that! Win and don’t worry about the other teams!
News flash to Reds pitchers! Stop serving up meatballs to Goldschmidt!
One thing about today. The bullpen can’t blow any leads in the 9th inning
Bader is a punk.
I can’t stand him – hotdog
Dude can’t hit squat against anybody but Reds
The big brother beating up on the little brother again.
Not looking good.
Hey Reds might want to wake up ! Only 7 inning game
I’ll be glad when this rule changes ! It sucks , not real baseball !
Need to start hitting this bum on the mound for Cards
Ron Burgandy on mound for Cards …
His barber shop quartet awaits.
Until that last pitch that struck out O’Neill, Miley’s pitches have been up more than normal. That last pitch to O’Neill had good sink to it. Maybe with the day off Miley was too strong to start this game.
Alright, a little small ball there
Help yourself Miley ! Nice !!
Seriously need to find out if Miley can play 3rd. His bat would work there.
Wade Miley: ” Fine, Ill do this myself”
Wade Miley!! He’s swinging the lumber this year!
First lead in 4 ballgames.
They are sitting on Miley, get the pen up asap.
Also thinking that unless Miley can figure something out that we need to go to the Bullpen prior to the third time through
Bell needs to do a double switch. Bring in a reliever and move Miley to 3rd. Get the fat kid out of the game with no range.
Those were good pitches to Bader up until the last pitch. The 1-2 pitch should have been down after he changed the eye level with the high fastball.
And then he gets Knizner to hit into a double play.
Miley unable to stop Cards until now… This game is very huge, Reds needed Miley’s best stuff today… Bader has 10 hr in the season , he has hit at least a half of them to the Reds…
In between meetings and just unmuted. This is now a 4+ inning game. We need some breaks (like that pinball shot from Nick C) and Crooked Numbers.
Early BP day – I agree with other comments on that.
Reds need someone who has some range at third, big hit by Votto. Gutsy play to send him. Now get the pen up.
I can’t believe 3B coach House sent Castellanos. But then I see Moose on deck…and I understand…
Nick looked winded there, but he made it. Man we need more team speed in the worst way!
That’s one way to erase a mistake pitch
not to argue but I think it was the shift that allowed that. Still erased either way
And another complete meatball cookie to Goldy … with a man on no less.
Last team scoring wins this one today.
ok Miley doesn’t have it. this is going to be a slugfest and we are going to have to use some of the bullpen early
Just keep throwing it down the middle to Goldy. He has crushed both pitches.
At least the Reds are hitting/scoring (thus far) today. Unfortunately, so are the Cardinals.
I think it’s time for the bullpen, though…… Miley doesn’t have “The Hulk” karma today (except at the plate).
Steroid boys hitting it today …
The worst part was the bloop before the blast
Come on. It’s a 7 inning game. Take him out.
Wild card choke in progress
Miley has no command… can’t continue being rocked and shoul be replaced… This game is very important f**K!
O’Neill’s pants are so tight…he might just be a gelding…
+250 for the laugh (almost took it back for the visual image needing eye bleach)
Bell still does not understand the term sense of urgency, no way Miley should have pitched to Goldie, he has given up 12 hits in 4 innings. Oh my god.
Always one (1) batter too late Bell is with the inevitable pitching changes!
Someone actually hit the sign. Has any Red ever hit the sign? I think Wink hit something close so they gave the truck away. Dunn or Junior? I don’t remember any Red ever hitting it.
Bell pulls Miley in a 2-2 game and leaves him in to give up 5? I don’t get it?
I get he got a base hit, but I HATE pinch hitting TS with no one on.
I believe I said in one of my earlier posts Stop throwing meatballs to Goldschmidt!
+500
You did exactly that, sir.
Cabrera another 3rd baseman watching called 3rd strike.
alot of oppy daisy hits today
At least the Reds are the ones doing it for a change
That’s a weird IF base hit … let’s make something of it now.
That launch angle from RoY was about 120 degrees
Come on Alejo. Prove yourself.
Welp.
He out it in play. More than Moise or Cabrera
Put
Pitch hitting for Naquin was not a smart move.
gotta hand it to David bell for selling out there 4 pinch hitters… if Cabrera has only made contact on one of his fouls into fairground this game would be tied. Interested in what the outfield makeup will be now.
I make every attempt to give Bell the benefit of the doubt when I can, but no justification for letting Miley face Goldy again. He was obviously getting beaten like a drum from the beginning today.
Absolutely ZERO reason to have left him in – totally agree
I don’t think I’ve ever seen 3 pinch-hitters in one inning…and we still have 3 innings to go.
4
Actually 4 pinch-hitters!!! I’ve never see that before.
*seen
Aquino is not a center fielder. Omg. Frustrating for sure right now
Sit down Bader.
I’m editing this post. There is zero need to call someone a punk. I’m tired of the tone that the comments section has had for far too long. Play nice. Stop insulting people. Stop making repetitive complaint posts. Clean it up. – Moderation team
Sigh …
Sigh x2 …
I’m with you but you could see it coming. Lefty that throws 100 mph. Joey had no chance
I don’t think Joey has hit a ball the other way since his HR streak. When he’s going good then he’s looking the other way vs hard throwers.
I know … the lost opportunities are mounting.
Great job by Bell, in having two aging LH hitters face a lefty throwing 100 mph at a crucial part of the game.
Get use to it. We got a couple more years of moose and Suarez.
Well Votto isn’t getting pulled and you want Geno over Moose? K or routine out either way
The difference in this series so far, they have a hot hitter = 3 home runs and the Reds have nobody swinging a hot bat. May be that is where Winker might have helped.
There is definitely something to say about a team with a hot hitter … and you are correct, we really don’t have that right now.
Reds need to come off the mat soon or the season is going to be over. Cannot stand the thought of the Cardinals capturing the second wild card.
Just walk him already
How on earth did Cabrera pitch a second inning?? Doesn’t Shildt know that relievers can only pitch 1 inning, and then they must be removed.???
Perhaps he’s actually trying to win this game and win the series.
Cards brought the leftie and the Reds were stopped right now… Well… the postseason hopes compromised if They can´t win series down the stretch…
Yeah it’s a glaring weakness. really has to be address in the off season.
Geno!!! Lets tie this thing up!
Suarez!!!!!
I like Santillan as a long term core bullpen piece.
Bell showing some sense of urgency with like 30 games left …. too bad he chose not to do so earlier in year … has costed this team big time !
Same for front office !
Urgency? Looks to me like he’s trying to get everyone into the game.
He did it
This one is on Miley/Bell if they don’t rally. You have to go to a righty there vs Goldy with the lead. 9 man bullpen and just got a day off. You could go Lorenzen there for 2 innings. No reason to push Miley there. They’re lucky he didn’t give up 6 or 7.
He obviously does that anyway … guess I was referring to this game in particular … 4 pinch hitters like one inning
To the extent the Reds has flourished it’s been in spite of ownership. Failing to strengthen the bullpen over then winter really has hampered the Reds this season. How many games did the Red’s BP the first half?
I also blame Uncle Bob for not ponying up for a SS. Yes, Farmer has done a decent job but that has been more luck than planning.
If the Reds don’t sign NC this off season things may be pretty bleak in the short run.
If ??? I think you mean when
There is no doubt that Bell as a a manager has cost the Reds today. I don’t think many managers would have let Miley pitch to Goldie, bad idea.
Yep left Miley in way too long … no excuse for that at all !!!
If I recall correctly, the last time Miley was taken out in the middle of an inning he wasn’t happy at all and let it show. Bell – being a players’ manager and all – couldn’t risk hurting his feelings. Only semi tongue-in-cheek.
I think you’re on to something and probably the reason Bell left Miley in way too long in a 7 inning game. I prefer a more hard-nosed manager, certainly in Sept. with the wild card on the line.
Man Cessa gets hit hard !!!!
Have we ever hit Gallegos? He owns us.
Jinx? Reverse Jinx? I’ll try a bunch of pinch-hit jinxes
It looks to me like the team has hit a collective wall. The 60-game season and no minors definitely has to play into that. Guys are hurt and tired. I just hope things don’t slip entirely away. I want to see a winning team on the 23rd and 24th when I visit the Queen City Redlegs.
Same Reds different day …. folding wild card spot like an accordion
Miley throwing batting practice and Bell once again has no clue when to yank a pitcher
Extra.Heavy.Sigh.
Miley left in entirely too long. This is not on the bullpen or the offense today. SP failed and Bell left him out there too long to “figure it out” gotta salvage a game in the series tonight. With a lefty, expecting Votto, Castillonios and Stephenson to get another shot. Obviously we know the pitcher. India is in a funk so I wouldnt mind sitting him. Farmer plays again. I assume suarez. I want to see Lopez start game two somewhere as well. the rest of it. Up in the air
I’ve been pretty high on every loss not being the end of the world. With that said. Tonight’s 7 inning game is as must win. There’s no other way around it.
Tough loss…for whatever reason this team doesn’t respond well to pressure..never has really…well at least in the past 50 years. I’m sure they will get hot again at some point just hope it’s not too late.
Can’t win at home – absolute brutal loss
Nearing the end of the season and this team just lacks the “killer instinct”. A 2-game lead in the WC will likely be 1-1.5 behind by the end of the day. A 4-5 game losing streak at this point in the season is simply inexcusible
I feel this is like a stupid loss… Fighting 3 frames and took the lead twice but Cards replied the same way and took the lead to keep it the rest of the game because the offense got cold suddenly. Bell left Miley were hit hard too long specially in this very pivotal game… The Reds entering in the pesky moment of the baseball where the team does not hit but has good pitching or the team hits well but has bad pitching or defense
The big difference between the Reds and the Cardinals is that the Cardinals have good ownership,good front office and good scouting and the Reds have none of the above