St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2025

Cardinals Ride Arenado’s Hot Streak into Sweep Attempt vs. Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals are playing with a flair for the dramatic, and their star third baseman is leading the charge. Riding a five-game winning streak, the St. Louis Cardinals will look to complete a three-game series sweep of their National League Central rival, the Cincinnati Reds, in Sunday afternoon’s finale. For St. Louis, it’s a chance to solidify a remarkable turnaround from a recent slump. For Cincinnati, it’s a desperate attempt to solve their season-long struggles against their own division and avoid being swept for the first time all year.

Arenado’s Resurgence Ignites the Cardinals

When a team gets hot, it often starts with its leader, and for the Cardinals, that leader has unquestionably been Nolan Arenado. The veteran third baseman has been on an absolute tear, hitting .339 with four home runs and 10 RBIs over his last 15 games, looking every bit the part of the perennial All-Star he is. His heroics were on full display in Saturday’s thrilling 6-5 comeback victory. With his team trailing in the bottom of the ninth inning, Arenado launched a game-tying solo home run, sending the ballpark into a frenzy and setting the stage for a walk-off win in the 11th.

It was more than just a home run; it was a statement from a player who is finding his best form at the perfect time. “He’s feeling it and it’s showing,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “The emotion that he showed coming across the plate there, that’s what he’s all about. It fires everybody up — you can tell the crowd got into it and our dugout got into it. That’s what he brings and he’s in a really good spot at the moment.” Arenado’s resurgence has been the direct catalyst for the Cardinals’ five-game winning streak, which came on the heels of a six-game skid.

The Reds’ Division Dilemma

While the Cardinals are soaring, the Reds find themselves in a familiar, frustrating position. The team has been playing excellent baseball overall for the past two weeks, winning nine of their last twelve games. However, their Achilles’ heel has been their performance within the tough NL Central. Cincinnati is just 10-15 against their division rivals this season and has lost seven of the eight series they have played against them. This inability to beat the teams they see most often is the one thing holding them back from making a real charge in the standings.

Saturday’s loss was particularly painful. They held a 5-2 lead entering the bottom of the eighth, only to see it evaporate. The extra-inning affair also forced them to use eight different pitchers, taxing a bullpen that will have little room for error on Sunday. Despite the gut-wrenching loss, the team is trying to stay positive. “We fought hard all game,” said relief pitcher Emilio Pagan. “We’re playing really good baseball and so, you know, (manager David Bell) has been kind of preaching it since spring training — this one’s done. We’ll focus on tomorrow.”

The Enigma on the Mound: Andrew Abbott

With their bullpen stretched thin, the Reds will be counting on a deep and effective start from left-hander Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.84 ERA). The question is, which version of Abbott will show up? The 26-year-old has been a true enigma this season, capable of breathtaking dominance one week and frustrating inconsistency the next. Just two starts ago, on June 10th, he was masterful, throwing a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians. It was a performance that showcased his ace potential. However, that gem was sandwiched between two poor outings. On June 4th, he was tagged for five runs by the Brewers, and in his most recent start on Tuesday against the Twins, he again allowed five runs in just five innings. This volatility makes him one of the most unpredictable pitchers in the game, a fascinating case study for our expert betting guide. The Reds need the ace version of Abbott on Sunday if they hope to avoid the sweep.

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Mikolas Seeks to Tame the Reds

The Cardinals will counter with a veteran of their own in right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-4, 4.35 ERA). While Mikolas provides a steady presence, this matchup offers a major glimmer of hope for Cincinnati’s offense. Throughout his career, Mikolas has struggled against the Reds, posting a 6-8 record with a high 5.53 ERA in 22 appearances. This history suggests that the Reds’ hitters see the ball well against him and could be poised for a breakout performance to support their own pitcher. This intriguing history is a key factor to watch on the scores and odds board, as it pits a hot lineup against a pitcher they have historically handled.

Pride on the Line

Sunday’s finale is more than just another game for both of these MLB teams. For the Cardinals, a sixth straight win and a sweep of a division rival would send a clear message to the rest of the NL Central that their early-season struggles are behind them. For the Reds, the motivation is just as strong. They are the only team in the majors yet to be swept in a series this season, a point of pride they are desperate to maintain. A win would not only keep that streak alive but would also be a crucial step toward solving their divisional woes. To see who our experts think will win this divisional showdown, check out our daily MLB picks.