Reds vs Cardinals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds are looking to do something they’ve not done since 1988.

The 2021 season has finally arrived Reds Country, and, fingers crossed, a complete 162-game schedule awaits the Cincinnati Reds. While it may look different than a typical Opening Day in the Queen City, there will be fans in the ballpark, and that’s a start.

A familiar foe will occupy the visitors’ dugout Thursday afternoon. Squaring off against the Reds on Opening Day for the 18th time since 1917 will be the rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbirds hold a slim 9-8 advantage over Cincinnati in season openers throughout that span.

This will be the first time St. Louis has opened their season at Great American Ball Park since the 2014 campaign. That March 31st afternoon featured an incredible pitching duel between Adam Wainwright and Johnny Cueto; however, the result ended familiarly for the Redlegs.

Cardinals catcher and notorious Reds killer Yadier Molina broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh with a solo blast off Cueto, and the Redbirds hung on for a 1-0 shutout victory. The Reds would collect only three hits on that day, with Todd Frazier being the proud owner of a pair of base knocks.

Cincinnati’s last Opening Day victory against the Cardinals came in 1988. The Reds rallied from a 4-1 deficit before disposing of the Redbirds 5-4 in extra innings. Barry Larkin and Tracy Jones would collect two hits apiece before Kal Daniels second hit of the afternoon with two out in the bottom of the 12th scoring Jeff Treadway proved to be the difference.