Cincinnati @ St. Louis Picks & Props

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Lars Nootbaar in the 89th percentile when assessing his overall offensive ability. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Lars Nootbaar will probably have an advantage against every reliever for the game's entirety, since the bullpen of the Cincinnati Reds only has 1 same-handed RP. Lars Nootbaar hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (41.1% — 99th percentile) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting towards the league's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Sal Stewart in the 87th percentile when estimating his batting average skill. Sal Stewart has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this season (67% of the time), but he is projected to hit 4th on the lineup card in today's game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. In the past week, Sal Stewart's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 97.6-mph over the course of the season to 101.7-mph of late. In the last two weeks' worth of games, Sal Stewart's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 13% up to 13%.

TJ Friedl is projected to hit 1st on the lineup card today. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Batting from the opposite that Michael McGreevy throws from, TJ Friedl will have an edge in today's matchup. TJ Friedl has displayed impressive plate discipline this year, placing in the 92nd percentile with a 1.42 K/BB rate.

Noelvi Marte has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this year (57% of the time), but he is projected to hit 3rd on the lineup card in today's game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Compared to his seasonal average of 12.9°, Noelvi Marte has significantly improved his launch angle in recent games, posting a 26.4° figure over the last week. Checking in at the 96th percentile, the hardest ball Noelvi Marte has hit this year reached a maximum exit velocity of 116.7 mph -- a reliable indication of underlying power ability. In notching a .318 BABIP this year, Noelvi Marte is ranked in the 78th percentile.

Nolan Arenado is projected to bat 3rd in the batting order in today's game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Hitting from the opposite that Andrew Abbott throws from, Nolan Arenado will have an advantage today. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds. Nolan Arenado will hold the home field advantage today, which should bolster all of his stats.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Matt McLain in the 89th percentile when estimating his BABIP ability. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Matt McLain hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39.8% — 96th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. Matt McLain has been unlucky this year, putting up a .292 wOBA despite the leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimating his true talent level to be .321 — a .029 deviation.

A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Ke'Bryan Hayes's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has increased from last year to this one, rising from 7.5% to 12.2%. Ke'Bryan Hayes has been unlucky this year, posting a .273 wOBA despite the leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimating his true talent level to be .293 — a .020 discrepancy.

Nathan Church's batting average ability is projected to be in the 83rd percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Nathan Church may have an edge against every reliever for the duration of the game, since the bullpen of the Cincinnati Reds only has 1 same-handed RP. Hitters such as Nathan Church with extreme groundball tendencies are usually more effective when facing pitchers like Andrew Abbott who skew towards the flyball end of the spectrum. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jordan Walker in the 76th percentile as it relates to his BABIP ability. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Hitting from the opposite that Andrew Abbott throws from, Jordan Walker will have an advantage today. Jordan Walker hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (41% — 99th percentile) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting towards MLB's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Tyler Stephenson in the 90th percentile when assessing his BABIP talent. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Tyler Stephenson has made sizeable gains with his Barrel% in recent games, upping his 14.5% seasonal rate to 40% in the last week's worth of games. In the last 7 days, Tyler Stephenson's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 95.7-mph over the course of the season to 103.9-mph of late. Tyler Stephenson's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has increased from last year to this one, rising from 14% to 21.3%.

Gavin Lux's BABIP ability is projected in the 87th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Gavin Lux is projected to hit 2nd on the lineup card in today's game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Batting from the opposite that Michael McGreevy throws from, Gavin Lux will have an advantage in today's matchup. Gavin Lux hits many of his flyballs to center field (39.8% — 96th percentile) and is fortunate to face MLB's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Alec Burleson in the 94th percentile as it relates to his batting average skill. Alec Burleson is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in today's game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. The Cincinnati Reds have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Alec Burleson has a strong chance of never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. Alec Burleson hits many of his flyballs to center field (40.1% — 97th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the league's 7th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.

Brendan Donovan's batting average talent is projected to be in the 97th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Brendan Donovan is projected to hit 1st in the batting order today. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. The Cincinnati Reds have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Brendan Donovan stands a good chance of holding the advantage against every reliever all game. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ivan Herrera in the 92nd percentile when assessing his batting average talent. Ivan Herrera is projected to hit 2nd on the lineup card in this matchup. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Hitting from the opposite that Andrew Abbott throws from, Ivan Herrera will have the upper hand in today's game. Extreme flyball hitters like Ivan Herrera usually hit better against extreme groundball pitchers like Andrew Abbott.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Elly De La Cruz as the 3rd-best hitter in baseball when it comes to his BABIP talent. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. As a switch-hitter who is stronger from the 0 side of the plate, Elly De La Cruz will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his strong side against Michael McGreevy today. Elly De La Cruz has seen a notable gain in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 98.2-mph average in the last 7 days to his seasonal mark of 94.1-mph. By putting up a .335 BABIP this year, Elly De La Cruz is positioned in the 91st percentile.

Austin Hays is projected to bat 4th on the lineup card in this game. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Austin Hays's launch angle of late (20.7° over the past 7 days) is quite a bit higher than his 14.2° seasonal figure. Austin Hays has recorded a .322 BABIP this year, checking in at the 81st percentile.

A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. The Cincinnati Reds have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Victor Scott II can likely count on never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds. Victor Scott II will benefit from the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Victor Scott II has seen a significant improvement in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 90.9-mph average in the last two weeks' worth of games to his seasonal EV of 88.6-mph.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Thomas Saggese in the 94th percentile when it comes to his BABIP talent. Thomas Saggese is projected to hit 5th on the lineup card in today's game, which would be an upgrade from his 87% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the batting order this season. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Thomas Saggese will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Andrew Abbott today. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.

A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Pedro Pages will have the handedness advantage against Andrew Abbott in today's matchup. Among every team in action today, the 3rd-worst outfield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds. Home field advantage typically bolsters batter stats across the board, and Pedro Pages will hold that advantage in today's matchup.

As it relates to his overall offensive ability, Will Benson ranks in the 75th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Will Benson is projected to bat 5th in the lineup in this game, which would be an upgrade from his 92% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the lineup this season. A correlation exists between high heat and more offense (and fewer whiffs), and this game is predicted to have the hottest weather of all games today at 86°. Will Benson will have the handedness advantage against Michael McGreevy today. Will Benson hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39.1% — 90th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 7th-shallowest CF fences today.