The St. Louis Cardinals and host Cincinnati Reds will conclude their five-game, four-day series with the decisive contest on Thursday afternoon.
Rookie Sal Stewart belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning to spark the Reds to a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night.
With both clubs battling through the dog days of August, this matinee finale promises high stakes for two National League Central rivals moving in different directions.
For the Cardinals, the finale is crucial for maintaining traction in the NL wild-card race. St. Louis resides three games behind the San Diego Padres for the league's third and final spot.
"These guys care," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said following Wednesday's loss. "They want it, they want it bad. So, yeah. That's a tough one. I liked our at-bats; (we) just couldn't finish."
The Reds are looking to salvage a winning series and finish their eight-game homestand with a 4-4 record.
The Cardinals on Thursday will start right-hander Michael McGreevy (5-9, 3.48 ERA), who quietly has put together an effective season despite a losing record dictated by uneven run support. McGreevy is 2-0 with a minuscule 1.42 ERA in three career appearances (all starts) against the Reds.
Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Brady Singer (5-11, 4.66 ERA), who will make his 25th start of the season. Singer has given the Reds quality starts in four of his last five appearances, including three runs allowed in his last three contests.
Singer yielded four runs on as many hits in four innings of a 10-3 setback to St. Louis on June 5. He is 2-4 with a 2.93 ERA in six career appearances (all starts) vs. the Cardinals.
Thursday's game will feature two of the NL's brightest young stars, both of whom made major impacts on Wednesday night.
For Cincinnati, all eyes remain on Stewart. His 27th home run of the season on Wednesday pushed his season RBI total to an MLB-leading 94, placing him second in club history for homers by a rookie, behind Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (38).
Stewart, who had five homers and eight RBIs in 2025, still is a rookie this season.
Alongside the dynamic Elly De La Cruz (20 homers, 21 stolen bases), Stewart forms the nucleus of an explosive, young Reds offense.
"I'm just trying to stay in my zone and drive the ball when I get my pitch," Stewart said after Wednesday's game. "Winning the series against these guys would mean a lot to this clubhouse."
Reds manager Terry Francona said of Stewart: "He's a really good hitter. I know he relishes those opportunities. Thankfully, he does."
The Cardinals have their own young juggernaut, Jordan Walker. He launched his 25th home run of the season in the ninth inning Wednesday, a two-run shot that nearly triggered a comeback victory.
Aside from Walker, the Cardinals are powered by the steady Alec Burleson (.289 batting average, 92 RBIs) and Rookie of the Year candidate JJ Wetherholt (16 homers, 46 RBIs).
--Field Level Media
