St. Louis CardinalsvsCincinnati Reds
STL 8/CIN 1
Things to say
Cardinals routed the Reds 8-1 at Great American Ball Park.
01
Cards ran the Reds out of the building, 8-1. Felt over by the fourth. Cincy's bats just never showed up.
02
key player
St. Louis lineup did damage top to bottom — when the heart of the order is squaring everything up, 8 runs feels light.
03
hot take
Reds at 26-25 are exactly who we thought they were. Pitching's fine, the offense is a mirage.
04
deep cut
One run at Great American Ball Park? That place is a launching pad. That's a pitching staff problem, not a ballpark problem.
05
exit
Cards are 29-21 and quietly running away with it — let's see if they can keep it going on the road trip.
The recap
Cardinals rolled into Great American and hung a crooked number on the Reds, 8-1, in a game that was never really close. St.
Louis got into Cincinnati's starter early and the bullpen didn't stop the bleeding — once that lead stretched out, you could feel the air go out of the ballpark. The Reds' lone run was a consolation tally that did nothing to change the vibe.
Cards move to 29-21 and look like the better club right now; Cincinnati drops back under .500 at home and has to be wondering when the bats wake up.