Weekend Preview of Cardinals vs. Reds

After splitting two of what was supposed to be a three game set against the Chicago Cubs, with one being rained out and scheduled for a future date, the St Louis Cardinals are off to Cincinnati to prepare for a weekend tilt against the Cincinnati Reds beginning tomorrow. Here is a Weekend Preview of the Cardinals vs. Reds.

Coming off a brilliant performance by Lance Lynn, who went 6 innings allowing only 2 hits, while striking out 9 and walking 1 but giving up 2 runs, 1 un-earned, due to a costly mistake on a pick-off attempt that lead to a Cubs run, with a sacrifice fly leading to another was ruined by the lack of run support from his team, as they generated only 3 hits against their kryptonite aka Jake Arrieta.

In the offseason the St Louis Cardinals and Lynn reached agreement on a 3 year, $22 million contract that covered his arbitration and keeps him under club control through the 2017 season.

He showed at least yesterday that he earned it and more than likely will be up for a raise with continued performances like that and the consistency he has shown his first three years in the Cardinals rotation.

With Ace Adam Wainwright tabbed to pitch the Cardinals Home Opener on Monday, in part to the rain delay from a few days ago, Manager Mike Matheny pushed each starter back one day to provide them full rest.

For the weekend series against Cincinnati, the Cardinals will have veteran John Lackey, young sensation Michael Wacha and prodigy Carlos Martinez all take the mound.

They will be opposed by former Cardinal Jason Marquis, Cy Young runner up Johnny Cueto and up and comer . The Reds are immersed in a three game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates that concludes today, and have taken the first two from a team many feel is right on the Cardinals heels for the NL Central crown. 

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Many experts see a significant dip in performance from the Reds this season because of roster turnover, age, etc but so far they are off to a good start and look to carry that over into the series against the Cards.

The Cardinals are hoping their offense picks back up this weekend starting at the top of the lineup with Matt Carpenter, Jason Heyward and Matt Holliday leading the way and Yadier Molina continuing to get great performances out of the starting staff and relievers.

The Reds still have many of the same Cardinals foes from throughout the years including Joey Votto, who is attempting yet again to bounce back from injury and prove he is worth the 12 year, $251.5 million contract he signed back in 2012, Brandon Phillips who has just about wore out his welcome in Cincy, Jay Bruce and Devin Mesoraco amongst others as well as flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman out of the bullpen along with speedy Center-fielder Billy Hamilton and new acquisition Marlon Byrd, who the Reds picked up in the off-season.

Whenever the Cardinals and Reds get together there is usually fireworks and I would expect nothing different this weekend. Thanks for reading!

Sep 10, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (32) is congratulated by catcher Yadier Molina (4) after Adams scored in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports