Cards' Alec Burleson out to continue season turnaround vs. Reds

The first month of the 2025 season can be categorized as only so-so for St. Louis Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson.

He ended April batting .260 and slugging .294. But an invitation one night from manager Oliver Marmol to join him and some members of the coaching staff for casual conversation and drinks helped turn things around.

The 26-year-old enters the middle contest of the host Cardinals' three-game series on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds after batting .303 in May and a torrid .391 in June to raise his season average to .312 with a .460 slugging percentage.

He kept the hot streak going in a 6-1 series-opening win on Friday, notching a double and an RBI as he extended his hitting streak to eight games. He'll look to keep it going as the Cardinals eye a fifth straight win on Saturday.

"I feel like I've had to prove throughout my time in the big leagues, and each year it's been different what I've had to prove," Burleson said. "This year, it's been prove that I can hit lefties. Last year, it was just prove that I can hit at this level. So it's something that I've always felt like I've had to prove to people."

Burleson has taken a different approach this season. Instead of chasing results, he's "earning a pitch to hit." That's helped him earn more regular playing time, including against left-handed pitchers.

"I think I'm a better hitter this year, which is contributing to more slug," Burleson said. "It's not that I didn't have an approach before. But I have a better understanding of what my approach is. I'm able to use that to my advantage."

He's hitting .303 against lefties this season and .313 against right-handers, a major tightening of the gap after a .195/.292 split in 2024.

He could show off his improvement against southpaws again on Saturday, with Brent Suter (1-0, 2.91 ERA) the projected opener in a bullpen game for the Reds. Suter is 2-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 37 career appearances (seven starts) against St. Louis.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, hopes for a better all-around performance on Saturday. A meltdown by the Reds' relievers in the seventh inning Friday helped the Cardinals score five runs in the frame to blow the game open.

"Good teams that feel good about themselves, you give them extra opportunities and extra chances, it's rare where it doesn't hurt you," Reds manager Terry Francona said.

The visitors didn't help themselves at the plate, either, with just one hit through six innings and four total on the day.

It's the latest in Cincinnati's struggles against National League Central rivals, going 10-14 against division foes in 2025 while dropping six of seven series against them.

The Reds have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak. They haven't lost three straight since May 31 to June 2.

"I think we're in a great spot," said pitcher Brady Singer, who started Friday and was tagged with the loss. "Obviously lost one tonight, but I'm trusting my guys, I trust this team. We've had a great season so far. It's going to keep going."

Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA) is scheduled to be on the mound for the Cardinals on Saturday. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA in four career starts against Cincinnati.

--Field Level Media