911±¬ÁÏÍø

Pallante and the Cardinals wrap up a three-game home series with the rubber game vs. the Reds at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.Michael McGreevy's strong start powered the Cardinals to a 3-0 win Tuesday.

In his last eight games, Pallante (6-14, 5.34 ERA) has just one no-decision. The rest are losses. That streak of six straight losses is one short of the most consecutive defeats without a no-decision or win among Cardinals starters since 1995.

Only four Cardinals have recorded more than Pallante's nine second-half losses since divisional play began in 1969, led by Jose DeLeon's 12 in 1990. Pallante's 6.91 second-half ERA would rank third-worst among Cardinals starters with at least eight second-half starts.

On the positive side, there's some rough luck involved. Pallante is allowing batters to hit .305 while his expected batting average, based on quality of contact, is .269.

He has also made three starts of five or more innings with two or fewer earned runs allowed while not picking up a win in any of them.

Another sliver of hope can be seen in Pallante's fastball mechanics. As a groundball pitcher, he needs an over-the-top release to generate downward movement and keep batters from lifting his pitches. His arm angle had dipped down through the course of the season, but it's back up in recent starts. As a result, he's creating more vertical break on his pitches.

Pallante has been pitching outside of the strike zone in recent starts, generating more strikeouts.

He has faced the Reds more than any other team this season, and he has a 2.65 ERA in three 2025 starts against them, his best vs. any team that he's faced more than once.

The Reds will send out right-hander Brady Singer (13-10, 3.94 ERA), who went six innings and allowed one run in both of his starts vs. 911±¬ÁÏÍø this season.

The Cardinals are 74-78, 1 1/2 games behind the Reds, who are 75-76. Both harbor faint playoff hopes.

Willson Contreras placed on IL

Before the game, the Cardinals placed first baseman Willson Contreras on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.

Contreras had been dealing with tightness in his bicep that forced an early exit from Monday's game and kept him out Tuesday.

Jose Fermin was recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

How to watch Cardinals vs. Reds

When: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Busch Stadium in 911±¬ÁÏÍø

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (); 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. Lars Nootbaar, LF

2. Iván Herrera, DH

3. Alec Burleson, 1B

4. Nolan Arenado, 3B

5. Nolan Gorman, 2B

6. Thomas Saggese, SS

7. Jimmy Crooks, C

8. Jordan Walker, RF

9. Victor Scott II, CF

P: Andre Pallante, RHP

REDS

1. Gavin Lux, DH

2. Noelvi Marte, RF

3. Will Benson, CF

4. Austin Hays, LF

5. Sal Stewart, 3B

6. Elly De La Cruz, SS

7. Spencer Steer, 1B

8. Jose Trevino, C

9. Matt McLain, 2B

P: Brady Singer, RHP

Injury report

Willson Contreras, 1B (right bicep tightness): Contreras, who had been dealing with pain in his bicep for more than a week, was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to Tuesday. The bicep tightened up during an at-bat Monday, forcing him to leave the game early. He was hoping to avoid an IL stint. Updated Sept. 16

Zack Thompson, LHP (shoulder, lat strain): Lefty starter remains on a throwing program in Jupiter, trying to overcome some setbacks as he increased the intensity of his throws through the course of the season. He's visited 911±¬ÁÏÍø for evaluation to monitor if the injury worsens. Thompson has been sidelined since the start of March and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in early April. There is no timetable for his return to the mound. Updated Aug. 6

Masyn Winn, SS (right meniscus tear): After dealing with ongoing pain in his knee caused by a slight meniscus tear that scratched him from the lineup repeatedly, the Cardinals put Winn on the injured list on Saturday, ending his season. He was attempting to play through the pain after being assured by the medical team that he could not do more damage to the knee. Updated Sept. 13