The Cincinnati Reds face the St. Louis Cardinals in a split doubleheader today, April 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, rescheduled due to yesterday’s rainout. Game 1 starts at 12:40 p.m. ET, with Game 2 at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Reds, riding a five-game winning streak, aim to capitalize on their momentum against a struggling Cardinals squad (12-17), who are desperate to avoid one of their worst 30-game starts in the Wild Card era. Game 1 Preview: Brady Singer (4-0, 3.62 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds against Miles Mikolas (0-2, 5.70 ERA). Singer, acquired in the offseason, has been a reliable arm, though Great American’s hitter-friendly confines could test him. Mikolas, coming off a strong shutout against Atlanta, will look to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate. The Reds’ lineup, led by Elly De La Cruz’s superstar spark, should see Matt McLain’s return after hamstring soreness. However, injuries to Austin Hays, Jeimer Candelario, and Tyler Stephenson may force reliance on call-ups like Chase Petty and Tyler Callihan. The Cardinals’ offense, inconsistent this season, needs production from Paul Goldschmidt to counter Cincinnati’s speed and power. Game 2 Preview: The Reds have not announced their starter, with Nick Martinez (0-2, 5.91 ERA) or a bullpen game as possibilities. St. Louis counters with Steven Matz (2-0, 1.80 ERA), whose early-season form makes him a tough matchup. The Reds’ offense, bolstered by Noel Marte’s recent two-run homer, must stay disciplined against Matz’s command. De La Cruz, a dynamic force, and a hopefully healthy McLain will be key. The Cardinals, meanwhile, lean on their pitching to cool Cincinnati’s hot streak, but their shaky bullpen could be a liability late. Key Factors: The Reds’ aggressive baserunning, led by De La Cruz, could exploit St. Louis’ defensive lapses. Cincinnati’s bullpen, with Emilio Pagán’s experience, needs to hold leads. For the Cardinals, generating early offense and avoiding high-leverage relief situations are critical. Weather should cooperate, with clear skies forecast. With Terry Francona’s strategic edge and Cincinnati’s young talent clicking, the Reds are favored to split or sweep, but St. Louis’s desperation could make this a tight battle.

The Cincinnati Reds are riding high on a five-game win streak in the 2025 season, showcasing a blend of young talent, veteran leadership, and pitching prowess that has fans buzzing. This streak, capped by a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on April 28, has improved their record to 16-13, securing a winning April and positioning them as contenders in the NL Central. Here’s a deep dive into what’s fueling this red-hot run. The streak began with a dominant sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighted by Hunter Greene’s masterful seven scoreless innings on April 13, allowing just two hits while striking out eight. The Reds’ offense complemented their pitching, with timely hits from Elly De La Cruz and Santiago Espinal. This momentum carried into a road series against the Colorado Rockies, where Nick Lodolo shone in an 8-1 rout on April 27, backed by 14 hits from players like Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, and Gavin Lux, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The offense has been clicking, going 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the Rockies sweep, a stark contrast to earlier struggles. Back home, the Reds faced the Cardinals, with Nick Martinez delivering a quality start and Jose Trevino blasting a crucial home run. De La Cruz, now boasting a 12-game hit streak, and Marte’s three times on base kept the pressure on. The bullpen, including standouts like Emilio Pagán and Graham Ashcraft, has been nails, preserving leads and shutting down opponents. Defensively, despite De La Cruz’s sixth error of the season, the team has made clutch plays, with Marte stealing two bases in the Rockies series to spark rallies. Under manager Terry Francona, the Reds have shown resilience after a 2-6 start, going 12-8 in their last 20 games. The addition of veterans like Trevino and Austin Hays has bolstered a young core featuring De La Cruz and Marte, creating a balanced lineup. Social media is abuzz, with fans on X proclaiming, “Reds are now 3 games over .500!” This streak signals a turnaround, with the Reds 11-3 when scoring five or more runs. As they host the Cardinals next, the Reds aim to keep the fire burning and chase a playoff spot.

Did the Cincinnati Bengals Have a Strong Enough 2025 NFL Draft Class? The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 NFL Draft class has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with questions lingering about whether it was robust enough to elevate the team back to Super Bowl contention. With six picks, the Bengals focused heavily on defense and offensive line depth, but the class’s immediate impact and long-term potential remain under scrutiny. The headliner, first-round edge rusher Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M (No. 17 overall), embodies the draft’s high-risk, high-reward theme. Stewart’s athleticism—6’5”, 267 pounds, with a 40-inch vertical—screams elite pass-rusher potential, yet his college production (4.5 sacks over three seasons) raises concerns about his readiness to contribute instantly alongside Trey Hendrickson, whose future with the team is uncertain. Analysts like Drew Garrison gave this pick a C, citing other defenders who could have offered quicker returns. Second-round linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) and fourth-rounder Barrett Carter (Clemson) addressed a pressing need at linebacker, especially with Germaine Pratt’s trade request. Knight’s versatility and Carter’s speed bolster the unit, but Knight’s age (25) and Carter’s undersized frame question their ceilings. Third-round guard Dylan Fairchild (Georgia) was a fan favorite, earning praise for his wrestling background and fit with new offensive line coach Scott Peters. However, fifth-round tackle/guard Jalen Rivers (Miami) and sixth-round running back Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) are seen as depth pieces rather than game-changers. Critics argue the Bengals missed opportunities to address the secondary or add a pass-rushing defensive tackle, leaving holes in Al Golden’s defensive scheme. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with grades ranging from B to D, averaging a C-. While the class emphasizes maturity and leadership, its lack of immediate impact players could hinder a team banking on Joe Burrow’s prime. Time will tell if this draft pushes Cincinnati forward or falls short.