St. Louis will open the two‑game series against the Cincinnati Reds at 1:40 p.m. Central on Sunday, May 24, marking the first of two mid‑season contests between the clubs. Both teams have just cleared the 40‑game mark, and the outcome could tip the balance in the fiercely contested NL Central.
Fans in St. Louis can expect a traditional Sunday‑afternoon atmosphere at Great American Ball Park, while the Cardinals’ road crowd will look to snap a recent three‑game skid that ended with a 5‑11 loss to the Brewers. The game arrives at a crossroads: a win pushes St. Louis within a game of the division lead, a loss widens the gap and fuels speculation about roster tweaks.
Historical context: the NL Central in 2026
The National League Central entered the 2026 season without a clear front‑runner. The Cardinals, who captured three division titles in the 2010s, have finished in the top two spots five of the last seven years, but the last two seasons saw them finish third and fourth as the Cubs and Brewers surged. The Reds, meanwhile, have not won a division crown since 1995 and have spent most of the past decade in rebuilding mode. This season, however, a youthful core—led by shortstop Elly De La Cruz and outfielder Spencer Steer—has propelled Cincinnati into a wild‑card‑like pace, putting them within two games of the lead at the 40‑game juncture.
When the two clubs met in Cincinnati back in June 2023, the Cardinals won a 6‑4 slugfest that featured a 12th‑inning walk‑off single by Paul Goldschmidt. That game set a recent benchmark for how tightly the division can be contested; the 2026 series could become the defining moment of the campaign.
What does the Cardinals‑Reds series mean for the NL Central?
Both clubs sit within two games of first place, and each carries a distinct trajectory. The Cardinals have relied on a veteran‑heavy rotation that posted a sub‑1.30 ERA over the first 40 games. Right‑hander Kyle Gibson (3‑0, 3.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) anchors the staff, while left‑hander Jack Flaherty (2‑2, 3.78 ERA) and veteran Adam Wainwright (1‑3, 4.02 ERA) provide depth. Their bullpen, anchored by closer Ryan Helsley (13 saves, 2.31 ERA), has been a stabilizing force, posting a collective 2.84 ERA.
In contrast, the Reds have leaned on a youthful offense that ranks third in runs per game (5.21) and tops the NL Central in slugging percentage (.460). Elly De La Cruz (batting .312, 12 HR, 38 RBI) has become the league’s most exciting 22‑year‑old, while veteran catcher Tyler Stephenson (batting .278, 7 HR) adds consistency. Their pitching staff is anchored by rookie phenom Jake Hargrove, who is slated to make his fourth major‑league start on Sunday, and a bullpen that includes left‑hander Nick Lodolo (2‑0, 2.70 ERA) and right‑hander Nick Anderson (3‑1, 3.12 ERA).
Key player backgrounds
- Kyle Gibson – The 34‑year‑old former Orioles ace signed a two‑year deal with St. Louis in the offseason after posting a 4.12 ERA in 2025. He has reinvented his approach, using a tighter four‑seam fastball (average 93 mph) and a refined cutter that generates a .340 wOBA against right‑handers.
- Elly De La Cruz – The 22‑year‑old Dominican shortstop was the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year. In 2026 he has already stolen 23 bases and posted a career‑high OPS of .925, making him a catalyst for Cincinnati’s offense.
- Jake Hargrove – Drafted in the first round out of Santa Clara University, Hargrove debuted in June 2024. He posted a 4.11 ERA in 12 starts last season and entered the 2026 campaign with a 3.67 ERA, showing improved command of his 94‑mph fastball and a developing curveball.
- Ryan Helsley – The Cardinals’ closer returned from a shoulder injury that limited him to 12 innings in 2025. He has logged 33 innings this season, striking out 42 batters while maintaining a 2.31 ERA.
Season statistics that matter
Through 40 games, St. Louis sits at 22‑18 (.550) and leads the division by a half‑game over the Brewers (21‑19). Their Pythagorean win‑loss record (22‑18) suggests the pitching staff has been slightly over‑performing relative to runs scored (5.02 per game). Cincinnati, meanwhile, is 21‑19 (.525) with a run differential of +15, the highest in the NL Central. Their team ERA of 3.96 ranks fourth in the league, but the Reds have out‑scored opponents in 28 of 40 games, underscoring the potency of their bats.
Advanced metrics from FanGraphs show the Cardinals’ FIP (4.02) is higher than their ERA, indicating some luck in run prevention, while the Reds’ xFIP (4.12) aligns closely with their ERA, suggesting their performance is sustainable.
Coaching strategies and match‑ups
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, a former pitching coach, has emphasized a “quality‑start first” philosophy. He plans to let Gibson work deep into the fifth inning, trusting the middle relievers—Ramon Rosso (1‑0, 2.70 ERA) and Patrick Wisdom (0‑1, 3.45 ERA)—to bridge to Helsley. Offensively, Marmol will likely start Paul Goldschmidt (1B, .311, 11 HR) at the top of the order, followed by Dylan Carlson (LF, .274) and Nolan Arenado (3B, .298, 14 HR) to provide power and plate discipline.
Reds manager David Bell, a former hitting coach, has signaled an aggressive approach at the plate. He intends to open with De La Cruz, followed by Matt McLain (2B, .285) and Nick Castellanos (RF, .301, 13 HR), aiming to generate early runs and force the Cardinals’ bullpen into high‑leverage situations. Bell’s decision to start rookie Jake Hargrove reflects confidence in his development; the plan is to let him pitch at least six innings, leveraging the Reds’ strong defense—anchored by first‑base defender Tyler Stephenson and a solid outfield with Nick Senzel (CF, .282).
How fans can watch the game
According to USA Today, the matchup will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network and streamed via MLB.TV for out‑of‑market viewers. Local affiliates in the St. Louis market will also carry the feed on channel 4, giving fans a free over‑the‑air option. MLB.com provides the same schedule.
Key developments
- The first pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, May 24.
- This will be the Cardinals’ first road game after a three‑game home swing that ended with a 5‑11 loss to the Brewers.
- Cincinnati’s starting pitcher, rookie prospect Jake Hargrove, is making his fourth major‑league start, a fact not yet highlighted in national previews.
- Both clubs have a day off before the series begins, giving their bullpens a chance to rest after heavy usage in the previous week.
- St. Louis will wear their traditional white home uniforms for the road series, a nod to the franchise’s 2024 “Throwback Thursday” promotion.
Impact and what’s next for St. Louis
Should the Cardinals capture a win, they move to 23‑17, tightening the race and forcing the Chicago Cubs to respond in their own series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A loss would drop them to 22‑18, likely prompting the front office to consider a mid‑season trade for a left‑handed reliever—a move many analysts have floated but the club has yet to act on.
Marmol has emphasized that the numbers reveal the team’s pitching depth is its strongest asset entering the second half. He expects the veteran rotation to shoulder the load while younger arms gain experience in lower‑leverage spots. The manager also hinted at a possible platoon in left field, pitting outfielder Dylan Carlson against right‑handed starters and rookie Jordan Walker against lefties, to maximize offensive upside.
Bell counters that his club’s explosive offense can overwhelm any rotation, noting that the lineup’s slugging percentage sits above .460, the highest in the NL Central. Bell hopes Hargrove’s poise will buy the bullpen enough innings to keep the game close, allowing the Reds to deploy a high‑velocity fourth‑down approach with reliever Nick Lodolo in the seventh inning.
From an analytical standpoint, a Cardinals win raises their postseason probability from 58 % to roughly 66 % according to FanGraphs’ Monte‑Carlo simulations, while a Reds victory pushes Cincinnati’s odds from 52 % to 60 %.
Historical comparison
Mid‑season series between the Cardinals and Reds have often acted as swing points. In 2019, a three‑game set in early August saw the Cardinals sweep Cincinnati and subsequently clinch the division by a two‑game margin. In 2022, the Reds won two of three in St. Louis and rode that momentum to a wild‑card berth. The 2026 series therefore carries the weight of precedent: a decisive performance could define the remainder of the campaign for both clubs.
Where can fans stream the Cardinals‑Reds game?
MLB.TV offers a live stream for out‑of‑market viewers, while the game will also be on the MLB Network cable channel for national audiences.
What is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals?
St. Louis is expected to start right‑hander Kyle Gibson, who has a 3.15 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP through his first 40 outings.
How does this game affect the Cardinals’ playoff odds?
Analytics models from FanGraphs show a win raises St. Louis’ postseason probability from 58 % to roughly 66 %, underscoring the matchup’s importance.
