The Cincinnati Reds travel to Busch Stadium on July 24 to open an important National League Central series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Friday’s pitching matchup features Rhett Lowder taking the mound for Cincinnati against Dustin May for St. Louis. Both right-handers have experienced inconsistent seasons, but each possesses the talent to deliver a quality outing. Current probable pitcher listings confirm Lowder and May as the scheduled starters for the series opener.

With divisional implications and two clubs looking to gain momentum, this matchup offers several appealing opportunities for MLB bettors.

Best Bet: Cardinals Moneyline

The Cardinals receive the edge thanks to home-field advantage and a lineup that has been more consistent against right-handed pitching. Dustin May has flashed the electric arsenal that made him one of baseball’s most intriguing young pitchers earlier in his career. While his 2026 numbers have been uneven, May continues to generate strikeouts with a high-velocity sinker and sharp breaking pitches.

St. Louis also has enough offensive depth to support its starter. Jordan Walker has emerged as one of the club’s top power threats, while the lineup has consistently produced extra-base hits throughout the season. Against a Reds pitching staff that has battled inconsistency, the Cardinals should have opportunities to manufacture runs early.

Lowder remains one of Cincinnati’s promising young starters, but he has struggled to consistently work deep into games. If the Reds are forced to rely on their bullpen early, that could shift the advantage toward St. Louis.

Best Total Bet: Over 8.5 Runs

Although Busch Stadium has traditionally favored pitchers, both starters enter this game carrying ERAs above 4.50. Lowder has allowed opponents to string together hits when falling behind in the count, while May has occasionally battled command issues that lead to elevated pitch counts.

Both offenses feature dangerous hitters capable of changing the game with one swing. Cincinnati boasts explosive talent led by Elly De La Cruz, while the Cardinals have several middle-of-the-order bats capable of capitalizing on mistakes.

If either starting pitcher exits before the sixth inning, the game could turn into a battle between middle relievers, creating additional scoring opportunities. An over wager offers solid value if sportsbooks keep the total at 8.5 runs or lower.

Best Player Prop: Dustin May Over Strikeouts

Dustin May’s strikeout prop stands out as one of the better player wagers on Friday’s MLB slate. His fastball regularly reaches the upper 90s, and his breaking ball remains effective at generating swings and misses against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

The Reds possess plenty of offensive upside, but they can also be aggressive early in counts. If May establishes his command, he has the potential to reach six innings while surpassing a strikeout total in the 5.5 to 6.5 range.

Betting Outlook

This projects as a competitive divisional matchup, but the Cardinals appear to have the slight overall advantage entering the opener. St. Louis combines home-field advantage with a deeper lineup and a veteran starter capable of limiting big innings. Cincinnati certainly has enough talent to make this game interesting, yet the Cardinals remain the stronger betting option.

Best Bets for Reds vs. Cardinals

• Cardinals Moneyline
• Over 8.5 Runs
• Dustin May Over Strikeouts