The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals head into Tuesday’s middle game of their five-game, four-day series with plenty of momentum, storylines and postseason implications. The two clubs split Monday’s doubleheader, with each team winning a tightly contested game before Cincinnati dramatically captured the nightcap in extra innings.
The Reds ended the day on a high note, rallying for a 6-5, 10-inning victory to snap a three-game losing streak. Elly De La Cruz delivered the decisive blow, recording his first career major-league walk-off hit with a double that sent Cincinnati home victorious.
However, Dane Myers played a major role in getting the Reds to extra innings in the first place.
Myers, who has developed into one of Cincinnati’s most dependable options off the bench, launched a game-tying solo home run with two outs in the ninth inning. The dramatic blast capped an impressive day for the outfielder, who also started the afternoon game and went 2-for-4.
The two-homer day continued a promising stretch for Myers. He now has five home runs in 89 games this season, including a long ball in each half of Monday’s doubleheader.
His value has been particularly noticeable in pinch-hitting situations. Myers is now 10-for-30 as a pinch hitter, tying Chicago’s Michael Conforto for the most pinch hits in the majors this season. That production is even more impressive considering Myers missed nearly three weeks while recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in late June.
Since returning from the injured list on July 17, Myers has made 22 starts in 42 games, giving him more consistent opportunities to regain his rhythm.
Reds manager Terry Francona has also praised Myers’ preparation and ability to remain ready despite frequently receiving only one opportunity at the plate.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, will try to bounce back after watching their three-game winning streak come to an end in the nightcap. St. Louis had taken the opening game of the doubleheader 2-1, but Cincinnati’s late comeback prevented the Cardinals from taking control of the series.
One of the biggest reasons St. Louis remains firmly in the postseason conversation has been the emergence of closer Riley O’Brien.
O’Brien recorded his National League-leading 31st save in Monday’s first game, although he did not appear in the nightcap. The 31-year-old has been outstanding recently, holding opponents scoreless in each of his last 10 appearances. During that stretch, he has surrendered only one hit while striking out 11 and issuing five walks over 10 innings.
His transformation into a reliable closer has been a major development for the Cardinals. O’Brien is in his first full season in the role after dealing with significant injuries in recent years, including a forearm problem in 2024 and a shoulder issue late last season. A calf strain during spring training also prevented him from participating for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol credited the organization’s entire support system for helping O’Brien reach his current level.
Tuesday’s matchup will feature a rematch between Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott and St. Louis right-hander Kyle Leahy, who previously faced one another on July 26.
Both pitchers worked six innings in that contest, although neither received a decision as Cincinnati eventually won 5-3 in 10 innings.
Leahy enters Tuesday’s game in excellent form. The 29-year-old has made the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season and has been particularly impressive over the past two months.
Across his last nine starts, Leahy is 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA, striking out 46 hitters and walking only nine over 47⅓ innings. His recent dominance has made him an increasingly important part of St. Louis’ rotation as the Cardinals chase a postseason berth.
Cincinnati, however, has historically given Leahy problems. In 11 career appearances against the Reds, he has a 6.12 ERA across 25 innings. All three of his starts against Cincinnati have come this season, and he has posted a 6.00 ERA in those outings.
Abbott has also experienced some struggles recently. He is 1-1 with a 6.19 ERA in three starts during August. Still, his career numbers against St. Louis are respectable, as he owns a 4-4 record and 3.83 ERA in 10 starts against the Cardinals covering 54 innings.
With both clubs battling for postseason positioning, Tuesday’s game carries significance beyond simply determining who wins the series. Cincinnati will look to build on De La Cruz’s walk-off heroics and Myers’ timely power, while St. Louis will try to respond behind Leahy and a bullpen anchored by the red-hot O’Brien.
After Monday’s dramatic split, the middle game could prove pivotal in determining which team gains the upper hand in this tightly contested series.
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