The Cincinnati Reds return to Great American Ball Park on Monday, August 17, to open a regular season series against the St. Louis Cardinals with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Right-hander Rhett Lowder gets the ball for Cincinnati, while St. Louis has not yet announced a probable starter. The Reds send out a full lineup led by Elly De La Cruz at the top of the order, making this a marquee NL Central showdown that carries real divisional weight heading into the stretch run of the 2026 season.

Probable Pitchers: Lowder Takes the Mound for Cincinnati

Rhett Lowder draws the start for the Reds on Monday. The Cardinals have not confirmed a probable starter as of this writing, which adds an element of uncertainty for Cincinnati hitters preparing their approach. Lowder's assignment against a Cardinals lineup that features legitimate offensive threats makes his command and ability to generate early outs critical to Cincinnati's chances of setting the tone in the series opener.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

• 1. Elly De La Cruz — DH
• 2. Sal Stewart — 2B
• 3. JJ Bleday — LF
• 4. Eugenio Suárez — 3B
• 5. Michael Toglia — 1B
• 6. Matt McLain — SS
• 7. Héctor Rodríguez — RF
• 8. Jose Trevino — C
• 9. TJ Friedl — CF

St. Louis Cardinals Starting Lineup

• 1. JJ Wetherholt — 2B
• 2. Iván Herrera — C
• 3. Alec Burleson — 1B
• 4. Jordan Walker — DH
• 5. Joshua Báez — RF
• 6. Nathan Church — CF
• 7. Masyn Winn — SS
• 8. Bryan Torres — LF
• 9. Blaze Jordan — 3B

Keys to Watch in Monday's Game

De La Cruz at the Top

Elly De La Cruz sliding into the DH spot and batting leadoff is the headline lineup decision. Whatever the reasoning behind the configuration, De La Cruz's presence at the top gives Cincinnati's offense a dangerous catalyst from the first at-bat of the game. How he performs against a Cardinals pitching staff that remains undefined sets the early tempo.

Lowder's Efficiency Against a Balanced Cardinals Order

St. Louis is bringing a lineup with multiple right-handed and left-handed bats, including Jordan Walker in the cleanup spot and Masyn Winn — one of the better defensive shortstops in the league — batting seventh. Lowder will need to work efficiently through the middle of that order. Keeping Walker and Burleson in the ballpark is priority one.

Suárez in the Heart of the Reds Order

Eugenio Suárez hitting cleanup gives Cincinnati a veteran presence with legitimate power in the middle of the lineup. His ability to drive in Stewart and Bleday from the middle of the order could be the difference-maker in what figures to be a close divisional contest.

TJ Friedl Anchoring the Nine Hole

Batting Friedl ninth with De La Cruz leading off creates an interesting dynamic at the top and bottom of the order. Friedl's on-base ability from the nine spot means that when he gets on, De La Cruz steps to the plate — a combination that any NL Central pitching staff has to respect.

Prediction

This is a classic NL Central series opener — divisional familiarity, lineup intrigue, and a pitching matchup with one side still undefined. The Reds have home field at Great American Ball Park, a lineup with real teeth from top to bottom, and Lowder on the mound with something to prove. Until St. Louis announces their starter, Cincinnati holds the advantage in the pitching matchup by default. Expect a competitive game, but give the edge to the Reds at home. Cincinnati 4, St. Louis 2.

Catch Monday's game on Reds.TV or on the radio at WLW 700.