Amid Andre Pallante's months-long struggles, he has shown promising signs in recent starts. The question then becomes whether he can turn promise into consistent results.
Pallante starts Friday as the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Reds at 6:15 p.m., an hour earlier than the usual Friday night Busch Stadium start time.
Last time out, Pallante set a career high with seven strikeouts and struck out the side in an inning for the first time in his career.
The game before that, Pallante went six innings, allowing three runs in a more a effective start than any of the three prior outings.
In each of his last two games, Pallante has allowed just six hard-hit balls, those hit at 95 miles per hour or harder. That's fewer than any of his last eight starts leading up to that point.
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In those last two games, Pallante's groundball rate (66.7%) was better than his season average, and he permitted just two pulled fly balls in total.
Pallante has thrown the knuckle-curve more in each of those last two starts than in any prior start in 2025, continuing a trend.
The Reds hit the 11th-most groundballs in baseball.
The Reds will start right-hander Brady Singer (7-4, 4.34 ERA), who is in his first year in Cincinnati after spending his first five seasons in Kansas City. Against St. Louis earlier this year, he gave up one run in six innings and picked up the loss.
Singer's sinker-slider combo accounts for about 75% of the pitches he throws. Batters are hitting .184 against the slider, making it one of the more valuable sliders in the game.
Against the slider, the Cardinals' Ivan Hererra, who was placed on the injured list before the game, ranks in baseball's top 15 hitters. Teammate Willson Contreras has also done well against that pitch this season.
The Cardinals are 40-35, tied for second in the National League Central and 5 1/2 games behind the division-leading Cubs.
The Reds are 39-36, a game behind the Cardinals. Cincinnati has won 9 of its last 12 games.
Ivan Herrera (hamstring) to IL; Thomas Saggese called up
Before the game, the Cardinals placed catcher and designated hitter Ivan Herrera on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Infielder Thomas Saggese was called up from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.
The Post-Dispatch's Daniel Guerrero has more on the move.
Game also airs on Matrix (Channel 32)
Friday's game, in addition to the usual airing on FanDuel Sports Midwest, also is simulcast on local broadcast television on Matrix Midwest (Channel 32). throughout the Cardinals footprint in six nearby states will also carry the game.
It's one of several games this season are set for local broadcast TV on KMOV and/or Matrix.
How to watch Cardinals vs. Reds
When: 6:15 p.m. Friday
Where: Busch Stadium in St. Louis
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (), Matrix Midwest (Channel 32) as well as ; KMOX (1120 AM and 104.1 FM), other stations in the as well as .
Your options to watch: Input your ZIP code and see your choices for watching Cardinals games.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Brendan Donovan, 2B
2. Masyn Winn, SS
3. Alec Burleson, 1B
4. Nolan Gorman, 3B
5. Thomas Saggese, DH
6. Lars Nootbaar, LF
7. Jordan Walker, RF
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. Victor Scott II, CF
P: Andre Pallante, RHP
REDS
1. TJ Friedl, CF
2. Gavin Lux, 3B
3. Elly De La Cruz, SS
4. Tyler Stephenson, DH
5. Spencer Steer, 1B
6. Will Benson, LF
7. Jose Trevino, C
8. Jake Fraley, RF
9. Matt McLain, 2B
P: Brady Singer, RHP
Injury report
Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter has begun a throwing program designed to strengthen his arm after a long stretch without much activity. The shoulder has responded well and Thompson has felt progress with this program, which had to be restarted because his recovery stalled in May. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated June 19
