Premium pitching matchups punctuate Reds road trip to St. Louis

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Cardinals

Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo vs Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante

David Bell will turn to his ace Luis Castillo (2-3 3.55 ERA) in Friday's game versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The home team will counter with Andre Pallante (1-0 1.23 ERA). Castillo will be looking to continue his impressive start to the 2022 season.

La Piedra has eclipsed 100-plus pitches in his last two outings, but has also allowed seven free passes. That will be something to watch on Friday night in St. Louis. That said, Castillo also has 16 punch outs in his last 12.1 innings pitched.

Pallante has just one other start on the season and that was a four-inning performance against the Chicago Cubs in which he walked four batters and struck out just one. Pallante is unlikely to go deep into the game, probably making it through he batting order twice.

Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene vs Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright

Get your popcorn ready for Saturday afternoon's tilt as rookie phenom Hunter Greene (3-7 5.40 ERA) squares off against St. Louis' ageless wonder Adam Wainwright (5-4 2.73 ERA). Greene's last outing was unbelievable.

Other than a leadoff bunt base hit, the Arizona Diamondbacks had no answer for Hunter Greene. The right-hander allowed one hit over seven innings while striking out eight batters. More importantly, Greene did not allow a single walk.

Wainwright is not going to want to see former Cardinals' outfielder Tommy Pham in the lineup on Saturday. Pham owns Wainwright with a .571 batting average and home run against his former teammate. Joey Votto has taken Wainwright deep four times over the years as well.

Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft vs Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson

Graham Ashcraft (3-0 1.14 ERA) will take the hill for the Reds on Sunday afternoon and he'll be opposed by Cardinals' right-hander Dakota Hudson (4-2 2.76 ERA). Folks, it's Graham Ashcraft's world and we're just living in it.

Ashcraft has been one of the best rookie pitchers in the National League to this point in the season despite starting just four games. The right-hander's last start was a thing of beauty as Ashcraft allowed just three hits over six innings while striking out four D-Backs hitters.

Hudson has handled his business quite well against the Cincinnati Reds over the years. The Cardinals' hurler has kept Joey Votto in check by holding the future Hall of Famer to a .217 batting average against. Aristides Aquino is hitless against Hudson in seven ABs, so hopefully The Punisher remains on the bench during Sunday's finale.