Cardinals and Reds Drop into Wild-Card Race Showdown

Jul 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dustin May (3) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

With both teams scrambling for playoff positioning, the St. Louis Cardinals will be looking to capture a crucial series against the Cincinnati Reds in their three-game opener on Friday night.

Recent Struggles for the Cardinals

The Cardinals’ journey since the All-Star break has been anything but smooth. They’ve faced a rough patch, dropping five out of their seven games, and now find themselves 1.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League wild-card spot. Additionally, St. Louis is trailing the Pittsburgh Pirates by half a game for the first NL team just outside the playoff race.

In light of this, every game becomes increasingly pivotal, and the upcoming series against the Reds represents an essential opportunity for the Cardinals to regroup and aim for a vital series win.

Reds Looking to Keep Momentum

On the other side of the diamond, the Cincinnati Reds are determined to continue their positive momentum. Coming into this series, the Reds have secured victories in two of three games against the Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners. However, they still hold a six-game gap behind the Diamondbacks, making this series equally important for them to stay within striking distance.

Their recent success on the road has been a breath of fresh air, as they look to capitalize on the Cardinals’ vulnerabilities. The Reds are aiming not just for a series win but to boost their position in the competitive wild-card chase.

Dustin May’s Rocky Road

The Cardinals will rely heavily on Dustin May, whose pitching fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since a dazzling one-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres on June 15. Over his last five starts, May has struggled significantly, accumulating a 9.92 ERA with a 0-1 record.

In his most recent outing against the Diamondbacks, May managed to pitch five innings for the first time in over a month, but allowed five runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking four. His inconsistency has raised questions about his performance, yet manager Oliver Marmol remains optimistic.

“He’s competed well. He went through a stretch there where he gave us some really good outings,” Marmol remarked about May. “After the complete game, there have been some ups and downs, but he’s good enough to get out of this.”

May will face the Reds for the first time, aiming to shift his season’s narrative back to a more positive trajectory.

The Challenge of Facing Sal Stewart

Interestingly, both teams will see rookies challenging one another. One notable player to watch is Cincinnati’s All-Star first baseman, Sal Stewart. He currently ranks fourth in major league RBIs with 74, having driven in nine runs across the Reds’ first two series since the break.

“Some guys relish those opportunities,” Cincinnati manager Terry Francona stated about Stewart’s recent success with runners on base. “He’s so strong and he’s got great hitter’s hands. The ball just jumps off his bat.”

Despite his potential, Stewart has had a rough patch recently, batting only .130 (3-for-23) since the All-Star break. His ability to prove that he can deliver under pressure, however, remains a focal point for the Reds as they navigate this crucial series.

Rhett Lowder’s Search for Improvement

On the mound for Cincinnati will be Rhett Lowder, currently holding a 3-7 record with a 5.75 ERA. His previous appearances have seen ups and downs, with his latest outing against the Rockies proving particularly challenging. He lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing eight runs on 11 hits.

“(Colorado) was just being aggressive and I was probably leaving too many thick pitches for them,” Lowder reflected on his struggles. “It was very frustrating.”

Despite his recent troubles, Lowder has maintained a solid record against the Cardinals in his career. Over two starts, he is yet to allow a run, having pitched eight scoreless innings against St. Louis. In his last outing against them on June 7, he allowed only one hit but walked five batters.

With both teams desperate for a victory, the stage is set for an engaging series that promises twists, turns, and the kind of high-stakes drama that defines baseball. As the Cardinals and Reds prepare to clash, you can feel the palpable intensity on both sides, making this matchup one fans won’t want to miss.