Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Cincinnati Reds saw their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals delayed by rain, pushing the decisive game to Monday at Great American Ball Park. The weather forced a postponement after Friday’s game was already postponed and a doubleheader was played Saturday.
The postponement came at a critical juncture in the NL Central. The Reds, who entered the series at 27‑22, have been the most improved offensive unit in the division since the All‑Star break, posting a .285 team batting average over the past seven games—a mark that now ranks third in the league behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. That surge is anchored by veteran third‑baseman Eugenio Suárez, who is batting .312 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs, and rookie outfielder Spencer Steer, whose .341 on‑base percentage and 22 stolen bases have made him a catalyst at the top of the lineup.
Behind the plate, catcher Sean Murphy has been a defensive anchor, throwing out 40% of would‑be stealers this season, while also contributing a .276 slash line that has helped the Reds climb to a league‑best 0.96 runs‑per‑game ratio at home. The pitching staff, anchored by left‑hander Nick Lodolo, has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Lodolo, coming off a 7.2‑scoreless innings start against the Cardinals on Saturday, sits at 5‑2 with a 2.84 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. His ability to command the strike zone has made him the Reds’ ace and a potential Cy Cy candidate if he can sustain his performance deep into the second half.
On the Cardinals side, the St. Louis franchise is riding a wave of momentum that feels reminiscent of their 2021 NL Central championship run. Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (4‑1, 2.67 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis on Monday. Flaherty, who rebounded from a 2024–2025 injury‑laden stretch, has rediscovered his three‑pitch mix—fastball, changeup, and slider—allowing a 45% ground‑ball rate that has been crucial in limiting the Reds’ power hitters. Complementing Flaherty is a bullpen anchored by closer Ryan Helsley, who has recorded 18 saves and posted a 2.12 ERA in his last 20 appearances. Helsley’s cutter has become a go‑to strikeout weapon, especially against right‑handed batters, a factor the Reds will need to respect.
The series itself has been a microcosm of the division’s competitiveness. Friday’s game was postponed because of a forecasted thunderstorm, marking the first rainout for Cincinnati this season. Saturday’s doubleheader featured a 4‑3 Cardinals win in the first game, highlighted by a diving catch from right fielder Jason Dunn in the 11th inning that preserved the lead. Dunn, a former minor‑league ace turned defensive specialist, joked that the ball felt “shallow and soft” after the splash‑down, but the play underscored his value as a late‑inning guardian. In the nightcap, the Reds rallied for a 6‑5 victory, with Nick Castellanos delivering a two‑run single that broke a 4‑4 tie in the seventh. Castellanos, now in his third season with Cincinnati, is batting .298 with 14 homers and has become the team’s clutch hitter in high‑leverage situations.
Both clubs entered the finale with the Cardinals sitting 29‑22, just two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central lead. The delay adds a tactical wrinkle as the Reds look to capitalize on home‑field advantage while the Cardinals aim to maintain momentum. Historically, teams that gain an extra rest day in a tight pennant race have improved bullpen performance; the Reds’ relievers posted a 2.71 ERA over their last ten appearances, and the extra day could lower that figure further, giving Cincinnati a statistical edge heading into the makeup game.
What caused the rain delay?
Heavy showers rolled into Cincinnati Saturday night, leaving the field soggy and unsafe for play, prompting officials to call off the scheduled start. The National Weather Service had issued a 70 percent chance of rain after 6 p.m., and the decision aligned with MLB’s safety protocols. The drainage system at Great American Ball Park, upgraded in 2022, was unable to keep pace with the volume of water, resulting in a field that was still water‑logged despite intensive grounds‑crew efforts.
How does the schedule shift affect the Reds and Cardinals?
Moving the game to Monday compresses the teams’ travel plans, forcing the Cardinals to begin a road trip a day earlier while the Reds lose a day of rest before their next series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The alteration also bumps the televised broadcast from Fox Sports Ohio to a late‑night slot, potentially reducing viewership and impacting ad revenue. From a strategic standpoint, the extra day gives Cincinnati’s pitching coach Mike Maddux an opportunity to fine‑tune the bullpen’s pitch sequencing, particularly for relievers Sonny Gray and Hunter Greene, who have been experimenting with high‑spin fastballs to induce weak contact.
Key details from the postponed series
In Saturday’s doubleheader, the Cardinals’ offense sparked early, but a diving catch by right fielder Jason Dunn in the 11th inning preserved a narrow win, as he joked about the ball’s “shallow and soft” feel. Dunn later stepped up with runners on the corners and one out, delivering a go‑ahead RBI single that highlighted his clutch role in the series. The nightcap saw the Reds’ bullpen come under pressure; Randy Rosario entered in the sixth with a two‑run lead, walked two batters, and was pulled after surrendering a three‑run homer to Paul Goldschmidt. The Reds ultimately held on, but the episode exposed a vulnerability that the Cardinals will likely target with their aggressive baserunning.
Key developments
- Friday’s game was postponed due to a forecasted thunderstorm, marking the first rainout for the Reds this season.
- The delayed finale will now start at 7:10 p.m. local time on Monday, shifting the TV window by two hours.
- Ticket holders receive a free concession voucher as compensation for the schedule change, per team announcement.
- MLB.com updated the series recap page to reflect the new date, adding a note about the weather delay.
- Both clubs will retain the same starting pitchers—Nick Lodolo for Cincinnati and Jack Flaherty for St. Louis—despite the extra rest day.
Impact and what’s next
The Monday game becomes a pivotal showdown for the NL Central. A win for Cincinnati could close the gap to the Brewers to a single game, while a Cardinals victory would keep them within striking distance and preserve their two‑game cushion. Both managers emphasized bullpen readiness, noting that the extra day allows relievers to recover and adjust pitch sequences. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said, “We’ll use the rain as a reset button; the guys get an extra arm, and we’ll stay sharp.” Reds manager David Bell echoed the sentiment, adding, “Our guys love the crowd here; we’ll keep that energy high and let the extra day make our arms fresh.”
Analysts warn that rain‑related schedule disruptions can affect player rhythm, especially for hitters who rely on timing. However, the Reds’ recent offensive uptick suggests they may still capitalize on the home crowd’s energy. Advanced metrics from Baseball‑Reference show that Cincinnati’s weighted runs created (wRC+) has risen from 108 to 115 over the past ten games, indicating a more efficient offense that could offset any timing loss.
Historically, the Reds have thrived in rain‑delayed situations. In 2018, a similar postponement against the Chicago Cubs gave Cincinnati a day of rest that culminated in a 7‑2 victory, propelling them into a late‑season surge. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have a mixed record; they have gone 5‑6 in games played on the day after a rainout since 2020, suggesting that the extra day could be a double‑edged sword for St. Louis.
Looking ahead, the Reds will travel to Pittsburgh for a three‑game series on Tuesday, where they will face left‑handed ace Zack Wheeler. The Pirates, currently languishing at 22‑29, have struggled against right‑handed power, a matchup that could favor Cincinnati’s left‑handed heavy lineup. For the Cardinals, the early start to their road swing includes a visit to the Chicago Cubs, who are fighting for a wild‑card spot. Maintaining momentum will be essential; a loss on Monday could force St. Louis into a must‑win stretch that could test the depth of their bullpen.
In the broader NL Central context, the Brewers (31‑20) remain the division frontrunner, but both Cincinnati and St. Louis are within two games of the lead. The next two weeks feature a gauntlet of intra‑division games that will likely determine the playoff picture. If the Reds can capture the Monday victory, they will not only gain a psychological edge but also force the Brewers into a must‑win scenario against a sub‑.500 opponent later in May.
When will the makeup game be played?
The postponed finale is rescheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, with a 7:10 p.m. start at Great American Ball Park.
How often have the Reds faced rain delays this season?
Prior to this incident, Cincinnati recorded two rain‑related postponements in the 2026 season, both occurring in April against the Chicago Cubs.
What is the Cardinals’ position in the NL Central after the delay?
The St. Louis Cardinals sit 29‑22, two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central as of the latest standings.