Wetherholt Leads Off as Cardinals Host Reds, With Lowder Back From the IL

The St. Louis Cardinals close out a weekend set with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, with Michael McGreevy scheduled to start for St. Louis and Rhett Lowder set to make his return from the injured list for Cincinnati. It is the kind of divisional matchup that can tighten the NL Central picture quickly, especially with both clubs carrying separate urgency into the day. The Cardinals come in at 34-28, while the Reds are 31-32.

Lowder’s presence on the mound marks the biggest storyline in the matchup. MLB’s preview notes that Lowder is returning from the IL for his first start since May 7, and that he earned his first career win against the Cardinals in 2024. The start puts a reset button on Cincinnati’s rotation planning, with a right-hander who has already logged major-league time now stepping back into a role the Reds need to stabilize going forward.

For St. Louis, McGreevy’s track record against Cincinnati is part of the confidence, too. MLB’s preview highlights that McGreevy is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two career starts vs. the Reds. The Cardinals’ approach against a specific opponent tends to get more consistent when a pitcher has shown real success, and Sunday is a chance for that history to translate into multiple innings and leverage against Cincinnati’s middle-of-the-order bats.

The Cardinals’ lineup confirms a key personnel note: JJ Wetherholt is back in the starting group and leads off at second base. St. Louis has Wetherholt, then Iván Herrera behind him, followed by Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Bryan Torres, José Fermín, Nolan Gorman, and Victor Scott II. The leadoff role matters for a team looking for consistent at-bats early, and it also changes how pitchers have to manage the bottom of the order behind Wetherholt’s baserunning and contact approach.

Cincinnati counters with its own everyday lineup against McGreevy: Blake Dunn in center field, JJ Bleday in left, Sal Stewart at third, Nathaniel Lowe as the designated hitter, Spencer Steer at first, Will Benson in right, Matt McLain at shortstop, Tyler Stephenson behind the plate, and Edwin Arroyo at second base. For the Reds, the matchup is about turning the plate against a starter with strong recent context versus them, while also taking advantage of an opponent that is leaning on a rotation that needs runs supported from the top of the order.

The broadcast plan adds another layer for local audiences. and are listed for Sunday’s game viewing, with coverage tied to the clubs’ regional streams. With the day featuring a returning starter and a confirmed leadoff spot for Wetherholt, this is a slate that could swing on early pitch counts and how quickly each manager can put pressure on the other team’s offense.

Beyond the first swing, what to watch is the first inning and the first time through each lineup. Lowder’s return start makes his early pitch location and willingness to work quickly notable for Cincinnati, while McGreevy’s ability to keep the Reds from stringing together extra-base hits early will determine whether St. Louis can turn Sunday’s opener into a controlled series finale.