The St. Louis Cardinals travel to Cincinnati for a Thursday afternoon matchup against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch set for 12:40 PM ET on August 20, 2026. Michael McGreevy takes the hill for St. Louis against Brady Singer in a division contest that carries real weight in the NL Central standings. Road wins in Cincinnati are never easy, but this is exactly the kind of early afternoon game where the Cardinals need to come out sharp and take care of business against a division rival.
Cardinals vs. Reds Pitching Matchup: McGreevy Against Singer
Michael McGreevy draws the start for St. Louis in this one. The right-hander has been part of the Cardinals' rotation mix this season, and outings like Thursday's — on the road against a familiar divisional foe — are the ones that define a young pitcher's development. McGreevy will need to keep the Reds' lineup off balance and work deep enough into the game to preserve a taxed bullpen.
Brady Singer toes the rubber for Cincinnati. Singer is a strike-thrower who relies on command and a sharp breaking ball to generate weak contact. The Cardinals' lineup will need patience against him early, work counts, and make him pay when he falls behind in the count. Singer has the stuff to keep a lineup quiet if St. Louis comes to the plate swinging early and free.
Keys to Watch for the Cardinals
- McGreevy's command early: Great American Ball Park plays generous to hitters, particularly to right-handed power. McGreevy cannot afford to be wild in the strike zone or he'll be dealing with first-inning trouble in a hurry.
- Plate discipline against Singer: Singer thrives against hitters who chase. The Cardinals need to see pitches, grind at-bats, and force him to work. Base runners will create opportunities.
- Bullpen management: If McGreevy navigates five or six solid innings, the Cardinals' relief corps has a chance to slam the door. Managing that transition cleanly is critical on the road.
- Capitalizing early: Day games on the road have a way of turning on the first few innings. Getting on the board first against Singer would immediately shift the dynamic in St. Louis's favor.
Broadcast Information
Cardinals fans can catch Thursday's game on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen live on KMOX 1120 AM and 104.1 FM. Reds coverage is available on Reds.TV and WLW 700 AM.
Prediction: Cardinals Win 4-2
McGreevy has the stuff to keep Cincinnati in the ballpark, and Singer, despite his quality, can be solved with a disciplined approach. Call this one a tight, low-scoring afternoon game that St. Louis edges out with timely hitting in the middle innings. Cardinals take it 4-2 on the road.
