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    Great American Ball Park (Photo: Carol Highsmith)
    Photo: Carol Highsmith

    St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds – August 17, 2026 (Game 1)

    Doug Gray 196

    The Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals are playing a day/night doubleheader today. The first game is a make up from May 24th when the game was postponed. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:40pm ET. Game two will be played at 6:40pm ET.

    Starting Lineups

    St. Louis Cardinals

    Cincinnati Reds

    Joshua Baez – LFElly De La Cruz – SS
    Ivan Herrera – DHSal Stewart – 1B
    Jordan Walker – RFTyler Stephenson – C
    Alec Burleson – 1BEugenio Suarez – DH
    Jose Fermin – 2BDane Myers – CF
    Masyn Winn – SSMichael Toglia – LF
    Blaze Jordan – 3BMatt McLain – 2B
    Everson Pereira – CFNoelvi Marte – RF
    Pedro Pages – CKe’Bryan Hayes – 3B
    Quinn Mathews – LHPKent Emanuel – LHP

    Starting Pitchers

    PitcherIPERAWHIPBBK
    Kent Emanuel (AAA)6.01.500.3308
    Quinn Mathews5.03.601.8033
    Links: Kent Emanuel’s Stats | Quinn Mathews’ Stats

    Kent Emanuel

    Two weeks ago the lefty was pitching independent league baseball for the High Point Rockers. Then he signed with the Reds and made a strong start for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday the 9th. Now he’s in the big leagues for the first time since 2024 when he was pitching for the Miami Marlins out of the bullpen.

    With High Point this season he made nine starts and threw 47.0 innings with nine walks and 53 strikeouts. His ERA was 2.30 in that time. We don’t have splits for him but even if we did they probably wouldn’t be all that useful given the level of play.

    Pitch Usage (from his One Triple-A start this year)

    2-seamCutterSliderChange
    Velo89.684.978.282.0
    Usage34%8%34%24%

    Quinn Mathews

    St. Louis called up Mathews one time earlier this month to make a start in Toronto against the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs on six hits and three walks in 5.0 innings. It was his MLB debut and he was sent back to Triple-A after that. He’s made two start for Memphis since, and 21 starts overall for them where he has a 3.27 ERA in 99.0 innings.

    The splits against Mathews this season have been interesting. Right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters are both hitting for essentially the same average and it’s an incredibly low one. Righties are making a lot more contact and they are walking a lot more, too – but that contact isn’t resulting in more hits at all. They are hitting for more power, but it’s not much power. Lefties are walking at a solid rate against him but aren’t making much contact and when they do it’s produced next to no power.

    Splits  (Triple-A & MLB in 2026)

    SplitPAH2B3BHRBBKAVGOBPSLG
    RHH2934470105168.186.333.342
    LHH142233031355.187.277.285

    Pitch Usage 

    4-seam2-seamCurveSliderChange
    Velo94.193.776.085.482.6
    Usage38%13%11%23%16%

    When and Where

    • Game time: 1:40pm ET
    • Where: Great American Ball Park
    • Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
    • Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
    • Forecast: 82°, cloudy, 15% chance of rain

    News and Notes

    Ron Marinaccio DFA’d

    As a part of today’s roster moves to get Kent Emanuel on the roster the Reds designated reliever Ron Marinaccio for assignment. He pitched yesterday and allowed five runs in 1.1 innings against the Marlins.

    Fixing Luis Mey

    Earlier today I wrote about the “changes” that Luis Mey has made that the Reds.tv broadcast was talking about on Saturday during his out. If you missed that, here’s the link for you to check it out.

    Rehabbing Reds

    Tony Santillan threw a perfect inning with a strikeout yesterday in Triple-A. He threw 13 pitches with eight strikes and his fastball velocity was a bit better than his previous outing, topping out at 93.6 MPH on Sunday.

    Brandon Williamson allowed a run in 3.2 innings on five hits while picking up two strikeouts for Louisville.

    Division Standings

    *Standings entering the day*

    TeamWLGBPlayoff Odds
    Milwaukee77480.0100.0%
    Chicago72535.097.9%
    St. Louis636113.59.1%
    Pittsburgh616516.53.7%
    Cincinnati596417.00.2%
    Playoff Odds via Fangraphs
    Previous Reds call up Kent Emanuel to start today’s doubleheader
    Next Reds offense goes missing again in a 2-1 loss to St. Louis
    Doug Gray
    Doug Gray has been covering Cincinnati Reds baseball since the 2006 season. Current bylines here, at Reds Minor Leagues, and Baseball America. Past bylines at The Athletic and a few other places I've forgotten and or cease to exist. Forever tired.

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    196 Responses

    1. Yeh! T.S. moved up to third in the order behind Elly and Sal. Now hoping he stays there as DH the next game. 🙂

      1. My guess is it has something to do Cardinals starting LHP, forcing Francona to sit Bleday. Will see if he keeps Stephenson there when Bleday plays. Francona is as stubborn as a mule.

        3. ““as stubborn as a mule.””

          Also on Andy Griffith. 🙂 One of my favorite shows of all time. Barney Fife always makes me laugh no matter how many times I watch him. We can use some laughs as Reds fans these days.

    2. Hoping Kent Emanuel has the game of his life and a couple of our hitters too! Let’s take all five of these games from the Cardinals. As a Reds fan in Illinois that would be a high point of the season.

    3. Got to win the first one to be able to sweep.

      Meetings this afternoon, so no audio for most of it.

    5. To be honest , when you see Emanuel stuff heading to pitch against this Cards righty-heavy lineup you can’t be optimist, although, if he can mix and locate well his offspeed pitches with the ‘heater’ could throw a good game…we’ll see

    6. My thoughts today are simple “expect the worst and hope for the best”.

    7. Didn’t Brendan Frasier pitch in the Mexican League and then find success in MLB?

    9. Can’t stand the Cards or their obnoxious announcers so it’s Sadak for 5 games. Knocking out the Cards and winning 4-5 would be nice.

      Hitting the first batter ….ugh

    10. The Reds need to put a winning streak together of more than 1 or 2 games. Problem is their offense is so bad that they can’t unless their pitching staff throws shutouts.

    12. Starting a pitcher who was pitching independent ball a few weeks ago, should tell you all you need to know about this team.

    14. Emanuel can spin it. Maybe he can show Lodolo his grip on the sweeper.

    15. At least he only gave up two in the first inning! Reds got to hit and score today.

      1. This will probably get some negative comments from others here at RLN but I agree with the Cowboy. Elly needs a day or two off. I know he is young and in great shape but the 162 game season is a grind.

        1. Of course…he has 7 hits and 5 errors in August. Obviously needs a mental break more then anything.

        2. From my perspective who replaces his bat? I know he is in a slump so yes a day off would help. I dunno, my thoughts are with the roster construction it is hard to sit him for a day or so.

          What do u think?

        3. Kevin don’t you see that you and I could play for the Reds tomorrow and it wouldn’t matter. They’re done and they’ve been done. 7 with LA and they need to get right. We’ll be lucky to win 2

        4. I agree with that sentiment as well, Kevin. Could McClain slide over to SS for a day or two???

        5. Yes I think so.. I would be shocked though if he isnt playing game too.

          @Indy, I stopped thinking, talking playoffs end of July.

          I am just talking baseball. Not really into the drama of if they are done or not. That ship sailed!!! Lol

        6. @Indy Red Man, if they need another DH to strikeout every AB. I’m their man! lol

    17. KKK in the first and that has happened way too often lately and the truth is it should never happen.

    18. Some were talking playoffs, the only question is if this team loses 90 games. Move Burns to a little relief time and wrap it up. He could go 7 and zero every 5th day and we’re not going anywhere

    21. Forgot about the early game! Glad to see nothing’s changed with Reds non-starters outside of Burke, Garcia, Mey or Pagan! Reds recycle project (Emanuel) had a stellar 1st inning I see! A HBP followed by a walk and they both scored!

    23. Must be something in the water in Cincinnati – guy on third, no outs and he doesn’t score.

      Good job, Kent.

    24. Well whether luck or skill it doesn’t matter he got out of it. Now, how about helping this poor guy out.

    25. Kudos to Emanuel for not letting the leadoff triple cross home plate! Time to quit striking out and hit ’em where they ain’t!

    26. Did Cy Young come back from the grave and don a Cards uniform? Matthews has faced 4 batters and has 4 SOs! Geez!

        4. Lol I bet they were texting each other back then saying ,” This Cy Young guy is a bum!”. :;

    29. I think they can get to this guy if they score here and shake his confidence

    33. Runner on 3rd with no outs and Cards couldn’t score. The Reds players said hold my beer, that’s nothing.

    34. Well ateast Marte and Hayes didnt strike out. I dunno, that is all I have.

      1. True! That’s a positive! Plus, they added to Matthew’s pitch count!

    37. The misery continues, it is just so bad and sad for everybody. That might have been the team’s best chance to do something big in this game.

    38. Like I said earlier, nothing’s changed! Bases loaded with less than 2 outs then nothing!

    42. I give up on Marte. He doesn’t K a ton, but he’s always chopping over the ball or under it for a popup. He’ll be 25 in a few months…let him go somewhere else and see if new surroundings and new coaching helps.

      1. He has nothing on Friedl for popping up. Friedl could be on stilts and somehow he still would pop it up.

    43. Indy- is there a site where you can bet on every player when they come to the plate?
      I mean you could make some serious money doing that with this team.

    44. Have the Reds ever been dead last in hitting? Maybe the Soto years?

    45. Mr. Emanuel must be a slow learner! Walks the leadoff hitter to start the top of the 3rd inning!

    46. I have no idea why he keeps playing Elly, he is giving this team nothing.

    47. This may be the worst offense any of us have ever seen, just stating my opinion.

    48. My biggest fear for the Reds going into this 5-game series in for days with the Cards is they will go 1-4 and essentially close the book on any chance at a Wild Card spot!

      Not a stellar start in game 1 with only 1 hit and 5 SOs thru 3 innings! Maybe getting into the Cards bullpen will help?

      1. “four days” not “for days” Sticky “u” key on my old laptop!

    49. Another pitcher that has reached a career high in strikeouts against Reds. How many times have we heard that this year?

      1. 0…. lol. Trying to have some fun. Sorry if it comes across as annoying.

        Maybe 5 times at least this season JB. I sometimes wonder if a new hitting approach is needed?

    50. He gave us 4 decent innings. Not flawless, but not “turrible” either. Still need offense to come alive. I’m hoping Jobu is sober enough to make an appearance.

    51. The 1982 team had a .251 team batting average much better than this year.

      1. I saw that, they were last in runs scored and hr too… I wonder though Mark. Different game compared to today. No big shifts or stuff…

    52. Myers wins the 2026 Votto award for most persistent at-bats. That was nice.

    53. I really thought that homer would have went farther. When he hit it I thought upper deck.

      1. You called it the other day. Why do these guys struggle when coming to mlb… just weird to me. Arroyo, Marte, Rodriguez, (small sample) and Toglia. (Small sample. But still….

    56. Not sure if you want to pencil in Myers or Bleday for 550 at-bats, but they’ve both proven themselves in platoon roles and no slouch vs L vs L, R vs R.

    57. Emanuel struggled in the 1st but wiggled through the next 3 IP to keep the Reds in the game.

    58. I really wanted Marte to come up. Man was I wrong. It looks to me like his heart is just not in it and that sad because he has talent.

      1. When Marte gets too desperate for a hit, he becomes an auto-out. Vicious circle.

    59. Marte is completely lost at the plate …. Just don’t see it . Going into whenever next year is , Reds have huge holes in outfield , second base , third base . Astounding no help in minors that are ready either …

    60. Great job be the man. On another subject, I find it strange that when I look at the Bats box scores Arroyo has been playing short = strange maybe Elly to third.

    61. Maybe Emanuel should be the new pitching coach. He is putting on a tutorial on pitching today.

    62. Nice job Emanuel. Would be nice to get a couple runs here and get him his 2nd big league win.

    64. Emanuel’s success today is an object lesson on how hard major league hitters have it in today’s game. When batters don’t have the book on a guy, they can struggle for a bit. At least for one start, the journeyman has been a mystery to hitters.

      We’ve seen the Reds hitters turn unknown guys into Cy Young. Today, the table has been turned.

    65. So the Reds start a lineup of 5 Guys hitting.205 or less, an Independent League pitcher, and here we are caring about the team. I don’t know if that speaks of loyalty or insanity.

      4. Plus 10 Billion…post of the Decade and exactly sums up the last Decade !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    67. Tip of the cap to Kent Emmanuel. Gave the Reds 5 solid innings and kept them in the game.

    68. If TJ was batting leadoff and 2 for his last 33 , fans would be calling for Tito’s neck. Yet here is Elly 2-33 and looking like he doesn’t have a clue

      2. It’s what Elly has done in all his other at bats and what Friedl had done all year. One is in a short term slump and the other one is in a slump that had lasted the whole year.

    69. I think Elly has a month and a half to show he should stick at SS. He has the 2nd worst DRS in all of baseball for SS and only Trea Turner ranks worse since 2023. If it is not working out, do they move him to 3B or CF? I really hate having this conversation, but SS is too important in the game to consistently have negative DRS numbers. I don’t care how hard he throws it to 1B or his OAA. His career fielding percentage at SS is .956. That’s bad.

      1. Fielding stats are a waste of the WAR stats they are included in.

        1. The eyeball test has been much worse. Several plays shouldve been errors and were counted as hits. If a stat doesnt tell someone what they want, they dont matter. Ozzie Smith’s fielding stats for his career show reflect what we all seen w our eyes. I think when Elly finds his forever home, he will find his forever position too.

        2. Re: “If a stat doesn’t tell someone what they want, they dont matter.”

          So you must be a proponent of Wetherholt for ROY over Stewart then.

      2. Good lord this is misleading. His total defensive value according to Fangraphs places him 13th in baseball among qualified players.

      3. I doubt that even a new POBO/GM would be able to move Elly from shortstop as long as he’s a Red.

    70. That was shades of Andrew Abbott from Emanuel. A sweeper guy throwing the kitchen sink at the righties just enough to keep them off balance. It’s funny Burleson ended up being the one guy who got him.

    71. Luis Mey is looking good lately. They need to squeeze another inning out of him.

    74. Toglia has never hit above .218 in five years in the majors. He’s 28. Am I missing something?

    75. Who had the Reds getting their 10th strikeout in the 6th? Shocking, I know.

    76. Just tuned back in. Seems like the Reds have one player with two hits every day lately. Not much else. haha

    77. I know I say it a lot but I am afraid they will not score again.

    78. No matter who the GM is this winter they have a lot of work to do. This. Team. Can’t. Hit.

      1. Won’t matter if he doesn’t have a significant amount of money to spend next year and beyond. I’ll believe it when I see it.

        1. Exactly. I think the only way to get more money is if a cap floor is agreed on and it’s about 170. We know they aren’t selling.

    81. Mey finding his way AGAIN. There may just be something to Doug’s article earlier. “Fixed” is a tricky term, but there is something “different” in a good way that we’re seeing.

    82. Big out by Mey getting Burleson. Who is this guy? What happened to the old Mey? C

    83. The pitching and defense has been good the hitting, as usual, awful.

    84. I love Kent Emmanuel coming up at 34 and pitching well. Would be fun to see him stay up get some more opportunities. May need him especially in September.

      Otherwise, Reds Offense, hard to watch overall. Looks like could be a rough last 40 games or so.

      1. He has no idea what is happening. I would send him down and bring up Benson, he might just run into one.

      2. No surprise this time. It looked like most of his other AB’s. Couple of fouls at pitches that weren’t strikes. Behind in the count. Whiffs at the sweeper down and away. Over and over. Don’t know if he’ll ever figure it out. Maybe another Aquino.

        1. When Marte first came up, I had this mistaken notion that he understood the strike zone. I was wrong.

    86. Six pitches and none in the strike zone. And Marte swings at five of them. Why would he ever see a strike? He needs to be Billy Madisoned and start all over in Daytona.

    88. Take away Myers today and the team is 0-20 with 11 strikeouts. Goodness gracious. I guess its the injuries.

      1. He needs a LITTLE more seasoning in all of his game….to say the least.

    92. I like how Cowboy called out Marte basically saying he doesn’t play hard. The truth hurts.

    97. It was a foregone conclusion Elly would strike out, but wasting a challenge?

    99. I would put HRod in right and tell him it’s yours for the rest of the season. Show us what you got.

    101. Wow, how bad are times right now. My wife is begging for the not to get swept by the hated Cardinals today. Me, I am worried about a 5 game sweep.

    103. I must comment that If Friedl had struck out 4 times the board would be all him. With Elly not much said especially considering he is 2 for his last 34 = 0.58

    105. If ELDC is a top-ten player like some on this board has opined, baseball has fallen on hard times.

      2. Before this last stretch I would’ve said 19th is a little high, but ok. Basically cause he’s a SS because his #s weren’t spectacular otherwise

    110. I don’t care who you are but you really got to hand it to Tito. He has kept this team relevant with a roster that is just plain terrible.

    113. Need to win this evening. We all knew this was going to be a brutal week.

      Catch y’all on the flip side.

      1. Inexcusable for a ML baseball team to have 15 of their 27 outs via SOs unless they are facing a HOF pitcher like Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson, etc.!

        1. Well according to Cowboy when the Reds face a pitcher they’ve never faced before it’s doesn’t matter if he’s a Little League pitcher the first time through the order.

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