The Cincinnati Reds head to Busch Stadium on Saturday, July 25, 2026, for a 7:15 PM ET clash with the St. Louis Cardinals in a division matchup that carries real weight in the NL Central standings. Hunter Greene gets the ball for Cincinnati against Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante. With a lineup that puts Elly De La Cruz at the top and veterans like Eugenio Suárez hitting cleanup, the Reds bring enough offensive firepower to make life difficult for any starter. Whether they can protect Greene and cash in on opportunities against the Cardinals' pitching will go a long way toward determining the outcome.

Starting Pitchers: Hunter Greene vs. Andre Pallante

Hunter Greene is the story every time he takes the mound. The Cincinnati right-hander has the kind of electric stuff — a fastball that can sit comfortably above 100 mph — that makes opposing lineups uncomfortable from the first pitch. Greene's outings are events, and a road start against a division rival brings out the best framing for what he can do. The Cardinals counter with Andre Pallante, a ground-ball pitcher who relies on contact management and keeping the ball in the yard. Pallante won't overpower anyone, but he works efficiently and can keep a game close if St. Louis gives him run support early.

Reds Lineup: Key Players to Watch at Busch Stadium

• Elly De La Cruz (SS, leadoff): De La Cruz sets the tone. When he gets on base and uses his speed, the entire Cincinnati offense operates at a different level. He's the engine.
• Eugenio Suárez (DH, cleanup): Suárez in the cleanup spot gives the Reds a legitimate run-producing threat in the middle of the order. His ability to do damage against right-handed pitching will be tested against Pallante.
• JJ Bleday (LF): Batting third, Bleday serves as the bridge between De La Cruz and Suárez. His plate discipline and ability to work counts matters in a lineup that needs to string together at-bats.
• Tyler Stephenson (C): Stephenson at fifth gives Cincinnati a reliable presence behind the plate and a hitter who can do real damage when the lineup is clicking.

Cardinals Lineup: Threats Greene Must Contain

• Jordan Walker (RF): Batting second for St. Louis, Walker has the athleticism and raw power to punish any mistake left over the plate. Greene cannot afford to fall behind him in counts.
• Alec Burleson (1B): The Cardinals' three-hole hitter is a consistent run producer who does his best work against fastball-heavy pitchers. Greene's velocity alone won't neutralize him.
• Iván Herrera (C): Hitting cleanup for St. Louis, Herrera has developed into a legitimate middle-of-the-order presence. If he's seeing the ball well, he can single-handedly change the trajectory of a game.
• Masyn Winn (SS): Winn's contact ability and on-base skills in the six-hole mean Greene has to stay sharp deep into lineups, not just against the top of the order.

Keys to the Game

• Greene's command early: If he establishes his fastball in the strike zone and mixes his secondary pitches, the Cardinals' lineup is manageable. If he falls behind hitters, Busch Stadium can get loud fast.
• Capitalizing against Pallante: Pallante invites contact, which means the Reds need to square balls up and not try to do too much. De La Cruz on base and Suárez at the plate is exactly the kind of sequence that breaks a ground-ball pitcher's rhythm.
• Bullpen bridge: Road games against division rivals often come down to the seventh and eighth innings. Cincinnati's relievers need to be ready to protect whatever Greene builds.

Prediction

Greene is a difference-maker on his best nights, and this is the kind of stage where he tends to elevate. Pallante is a capable starter but gives up enough contact to allow a patient Reds lineup to manufacture a crooked number. The edge goes to Cincinnati. Reds 5, Cardinals 3.

Catch the game on Reds.TV or WLW 700 AM with first pitch set for 7:15 PM ET.