Cardinals vs Reds Odds, Lines, and Spread – Aug. 31

• NL Central Division rivals go head-to-head for the fifth time this season, with Cardinals holding 3-1 edge
• Reds sit just 1.5 games back of Cardinals in NL Central standings, and are favored to close that gap Monday
• Read on for betting odds, analysis and a game preview for the contest

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani gets a second shot at the St. Louis Cardinals in under two weeks Monday. He’ll be hoping the second time, set to start at 6:40pm ET, goes a bit better than the first, when he was unable to make it through the fifth inning of a 4-2 Reds victory.

Cardinals vs Reds Odds

Odds taken Aug. 30

But another win will be exactly what Cincinnati is after, as the Reds attempt to claw their way back into the NL Central Division race, currently sitting 1.5 games behind the second-placed Cardinals with less than half their season left to play. The Reds are favored to do exactly that though in the Cardinals vs Reds odds.

Second Time’s A Charm For DeSclafani

DeSclafani would no doubt want a do-over of his first start against the Cardinals. Luckily he hasn’t had to wait long. Just 10 days ago, on Aug. 21, the Reds right-hander lasted just 4.1 innings and 81 pitches, coughing up three hits, walking four and surrendering two earned runs. He was lifted in the fifth inning and picked up a no-decision in a game the Reds ultimately came back to win 4-2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24-EOQZAkjM

It was rare setback for DeSclafani against the Cardinals, however. In 15 starts against them, the 24-year-old has a 7-3 record with a 3.14 ERA, the most wins he has earned against any major-league team.

Anthony DeSclafani, Nasty 89mph Slider (release/spin axis/slow). 😨 pic.twitter.com/efet9iBXF6

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 21, 2019

Cincinnati will be hoping he can get back into that groove on Monday evening, as 2020 has so far not been vintage for the young pitcher. DeSclafani is 1-1 with a 5.71 ERA in four starts so far, well above his 4.18 career average.

Cardinals Career Stats vs DeSclafani

Hudson Hoping For Breakthrough

After a 16-7 record in his first year as a starting pitcher in 2019, hopes were high for Dakota Hudson entering 2020. But the wins haven’t been as easy to come by in this crazy year, and the young right-hander is 0-2 after four starts.

He’s pitched well, as his 3.32 ERA shows, but is still waiting for a breakthrough.

Dakota Hudson, Disgusting Breaking Balls. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/jOqBkZ1n6M

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 8, 2020

In some ways, the game against the Reds could not have arrived at a better time. In five starts, Hudson is 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA against Cincinnati. However, he has already pitched against the Reds this year, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings in the Cardinals’ 4-2 loss on Aug. 21, where he was lifted after just 74 pitches, having given up just one hit and three walks.

Reds Career Stats vs Hudson

Advantage, Cardinals

If history provides any lesson, the upper hand resides very firmly with the St. Louis Cardinals. Not only are they sitting on top of the Reds in 2020, but they’ve been lording it over their division rivals for some time now.

The Cardinals have a 3-1 edge in 2020, won the season series 12-7 a year ago – when St. Louis claimed the division crown – and also edged the Reds 12-7 in 2018 as well.

That gives St. Louis a 27-15 lead over the past three seasons, as well as a 7-3 edge in their last 10 head-to-head.

Pick: Cardinals (+102)