The market knows the rotation gap. Cincinnati opened a slight ML favorite at -114 with Pinnacle's fair price at -109, and the total sits at 10 — which feels generous until you remember Singer is giving up a homer every 3.3 innings. The DK ticket-vs-handle split tells the usual story: public is hammering the Reds and the under, sharper money is on the over and the Cards.
The Reds rotation is a MASH unit. Hunter Greene is still on the 60-day with the elbow, Rhett Lowder is working back from a shoulder issue, and Brandon Williamson got moved to the 60-day. That's why Singer keeps getting the ball through a slump — there's nobody behind him. St. Louis has its own holes too, most notably Lars Nootbaar still targeting a June 1 return from the heel injury.
- 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
- 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
On the position-player side, Elly De La Cruz is the engine — .290/.356/.525 entering the weekend — and Sal Stewart has chipped in 12 homers and 34 RBI. If Singer keeps the ball in the park for 5 innings and lets that lineup go to work, Cincinnati wins this getaway game. If he doesn't, this turns into a track meet fast.
Lean: Liberatore over Singer in a park that punishes mistakes is the obvious read, and the number agrees. The Cards have been the steadier club all month — Sunday's the day to pick on a struggling starter, not back him.