St. Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions June 30th 2024

Reds’ Hunter Greene Looks to Rebound vs. Cardinals in Series Finale

The Cincinnati Reds are gearing up to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of their four-game series this Sunday at Busch Stadium. Right-hander Hunter Greene is looking to bounce back after a tough start in his last outing. Let’s dive into the key aspects of the upcoming game, recent performances, and the pivotal players who could tip the scales.

Hunter Greene’s Challenging Start

Illness on the Mound

Hunter Greene’s last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates was a rough one. He was hit hard not just by the opposing team but by an unexpected bout of nausea, even vomiting on the mound in the first inning. This unusual situation led to Greene allowing six runs over four innings in a 9-5 loss.

Mental and Physical Strain

“It’s going to throw you off,” Greene said about his illness. “Mentally, you’re going to be thinking about that a little bit more than making pitches. You just try to do your best in that situation, in that mindset, and focus on what you need to do. It’s not easy, but I wasn’t coming out of that game and knew I wasn’t. I had to try and make do with it.” Before this outing, Greene was 5-0 with a 2.80 ERA over his previous 10 starts.

Manager’s Confidence

Reds manager David Bell remains confident in Greene’s abilities, emphasizing the need to move past the challenging game. “I think Hunter has been so good for us,” Bell said. “He kind of needs to just put this one behind him.”

Pitching Matchup: Hunter Greene vs. Lance Lynn

Hunter Greene’s Record

Greene, holding a 5-3 record and a 3.79 ERA, didn’t face the Cardinals when the teams met in May. In his career, Greene is 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts against St. Louis. He aims to bounce back and lead the Reds to a series win.

Lance Lynn’s Recent Success

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn (3-3, 3.86 ERA) is coming off one of his best starts, holding the Atlanta Braves to one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-2 victory. Lynn, who has a career 12-5 record with a 3.20 ERA in 23 appearances against the Reds, will look to continue his strong form.

Lynn’s Focus on Improvement

“Throughout the season you are going to go through times where you throw the ball well and you’re going to have bad luck, things don’t go your way,” Lynn said. “But I’ve been fine-tuning, Dusty (Blake) and the pitching coaches and I have been working on some stuff. Tonight everything finally clicked. Hopefully for myself, it starts things rolling where I could do some things.”

Key Players to Watch

Jonathan India’s Hot Streak

Cincinnati leadoff hitter Jonathan India is on fire, extending his hitting streak to 11 games with two doubles on Saturday. He set a Reds record by hitting a double in seven consecutive games and has multiple hits in eight straight games. India’s performance will be crucial for the Reds’ offensive output.

Jake Fraley’s Return

Outfielder Jake Fraley returned to the lineup on Saturday after recovering from a calf contusion. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run, contributing to the Reds’ 9-4 win. His presence adds depth to the Reds’ lineup.

Austin Wynns’ Contribution

With Tyler Stephenson on paternity leave, Austin Wynns stepped up, hitting three doubles, scoring twice, and driving in a run on Saturday. Wynns’ performance as a fill-in catcher will be vital for the Reds.

Lance Lynn’s Control

Lynn’s ability to maintain control and avoid walks will be crucial for the Cardinals, especially given the fatigue in their bullpen. Manager Oliver Marmol emphasized the need for a strong outing from Lynn to alleviate pressure on the relievers.

Conclusion

The Cincinnati Reds aim to secure a series win against the St. Louis Cardinals, with Hunter Greene looking to rebound from his challenging last start. Key performances from players like Jonathan India, Jake Fraley, and Austin Wynns will be crucial for the Reds. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will rely on Lance Lynn to deliver a strong performance and help their tired bullpen. Sunday’s game promises to be a crucial and exciting matchup between two determined teams.