Pinnacle has this thing dead even at -105 both ways, which tells you the market isn't sure what to do with a debut arm against a Cardinals lineup that's been competent but not scary. The total sits at 9.5, leaning slightly to the under, and the Reds are favored on the runline at -137 because someone has to be.
Kyle Leahy is the kind of arm that doesn't make headlines until you check the box scores and realize he keeps doing his job. The converted-reliever-turned-starter went a career-high 6 innings against Kansas City last time out (May 16), giving up 1 run on 5 hits in a 4-2 win. He's at 3.94 over 9 starts — not dominant, but the Cardinals will absolutely take that every fifth day, especially with the rotation banged up.
The Reds get Eugenio Suarez back for the doubleheader, which matters more in the lineup card than this paragraph can capture. Cincinnati is hanging around .500 in an NL Central where the Cubs have pulled ahead and the Brewers and Cardinals are tied for second. A split today keeps the Reds in shouting distance; a sweep either way nudges the standings in a real way.
- Day-To-DayPacky Naughton (RP) — Naughton will undergo surgery next month to repair the damaged UCL in his left elbow, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.05/14
- Day-To-DaySem Robberse (SP) — Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayVictor Santos (RP) — The Red Sox traded Santos (undisclosed) and Nick Robertson to the Cardinals on Friday in exchange for Tyler O'Neill (foot), Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayIxan Henderson (SP) — Henderson (elbow) is starting the season on the 60-day injured list at Triple-A Memphis.05/08
- Day-To-DayZack Thompson (RP) — The Cardinals reassigned Thompson (shoulder) to minor-league camp Monday.05/08
- 10-Day-ILNathan Church (LF) — Church (lower body) is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.05/22
- 10-Day-ILRamon Urias (3B) — Urias (elbow) will begin taking dry swings this week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.05/21
- 60-Day-ILLars Nootbaar (LF) — The Cardinals are eyeing June 1 as a target date for Nootbaar's (heels) activation from the 60-day injured list, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.05/21
- Day-To-DayConnor Burns (C) — no05/08
- Day-To-DayJosh Staumont (RP) — The Twins reinstated Staumont (calf) from the 15-day injured list Friday and optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILKe'Bryan Hayes (3B) — Hayes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.05/22
- 10-Day-ILJose Trevino (C) — Trevino is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.05/18
- 15-Day-ILRhett Lowder (SP) — Lowder (shoulder) is expected to face hitters early next week, Charlie Goldsmith of of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.05/21
- 15-Day-ILEmilio Pagan (RP) — Pagan (hamstring) is throwing from his knees in order to keep throwing while not putting stress on his strained hamstring, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19.com reports.05/20
- 15-Day-ILCaleb Ferguson (RP) — Ferguson (oblique) walked one over a scoreless inning for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.05/10
- OutCarson Spiers (SP) — The Reds re-signed Spiers (elbow) to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILHunter Greene (SP) — Greene (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session May 26, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.05/14
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Williamson (SP) — The Reds transferred Williamson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
Bottom line: Leahy is the known quantity, Petty is the wild card, and a bullpen game in disguise usually means whoever blinks first in the middle innings loses. If Petty's command shows up, this is a coin flip. If it doesn't, the Cardinals have the kind of patient lineup that'll make him pay the 27th-man tax in a hurry.