When do the Reds play the Cardinals in MLB's new balanced 2023 schedule?

There are a lot of changes in Major League Baseball heading into the upcoming season. Fans will see the implementation of a pitch clock, bigger bases, and a more balanced schedule. But what does that mean for the classic NL Central rivalry between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.

Yes, it's a little hard to call the Reds versus Cardinals a rivalry at the moment. After all, Cincinnati is coming off a 100-loss season and is smack-dab in the middle of a rebuild while St. Louis is poised to win the division for the second time in two years and has two legitimate MVP candidates.

But, among the Reds' NL Central rivals, the Cardinals arguably hold a slight edge over the Chicago Cubs. So when and how often will the Redlegs and Cards go to battle this season?

Reds schedule: When does Cincinnati play the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023?

Major League Baseball's new balanced schedule will see the Cincinnati Reds play all 29 teams during the 2023 season. This will, of course, include the St. Louis Cardinals. However, instead of the usual 18 or 19 contests against their rival, that number will be reduced to 13 games.

So there you have it. The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals do not play their first series until a four-game set in the Queen City during late-May. The Redlegs then travel to the Gateway City for a three-game series against the Redbirds.

Fans will then have to wait until September before the Cardinals return to Great American Ball Park. Then, the Reds close out the season in St. Louis with a three-game series against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The Cincinnati Reds 2023 schedule begins with a home series against the Pittsburgh. And just like the St. Louis Cardinals, the Reds will play 13 games against the Buccos. The same holds true for fellow NL Central rivals - the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs.