The first month of the 2025 season can only be classified for the first Basman/outfielder Alek Burlets of St. Louis Cardinals.
He ended April’s batting. 260 and Slugging. 294. But one night an invitation from the manager Oliver Marmol helped him and some members of the coaching staff change things to include casual conversation and drink.
26-year-old, hosts enter the three-game chain of hosts cardinals on Saturday afternoon to increase their season’s average with .460 slugging percentage against Cincinnati Reds. 303 and a edge in June. 391 with .312.
He placed the hot streak in a 6–1 series-opening win on Friday, saw a double and one RBI, as he extended his hitting streak into eight matches. On Saturday, he saw Cardinals to continue it as the fifth direct win.
“I think I have had to prove my entire time in big leagues, and every year it is different what I have to prove,” Berlson said. “This year, it has been proved that I can kill the Left. Last year, it was just proved that I can hit this level. So it’s something that I always felt like I have to prove people.”
Burlson has taken a different view in this season. Instead of chasing the results, he is “earning a pitch to hit.” This helped them to earn more regular playing time, including the left hand pitcher.
“I think I am a better hitter this year, which is contributing to more slugs,” Berlson said. “It’s not that I had no approach before. But I have a better understanding of what my approach is. I am able to use it for my profit.”
He is hitting .303 against the Left this season and against the right hand. 313, one in 2024, a .195/.292, a large tight of intervals after dividing.
He can again show his improvement against Southpowes on Saturday, with an approximate opener in a bullpen game for Reds with Brent Suutter (1-0, 2.91 ERA). The 37 career appearance (seven beginnings) against St. Louis has a 2–2 surs with 3.34 ERA.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, expects a better all-round performance on Saturday. In the seventh inning, a meltdown by Reds Relievers on Friday helped Cardinals score five runs in the frame to blow up the game.
Reds manager Terry Frankona said, “Good teams who feel good about themselves, you give them extra opportunity and additional opportunity, it’s rare where it does not hurt you.”
Visitors did not help themselves in the plate, either, just one hit through six innings and four in the day.
It is the latest in Cincinnati’s struggles against the National League central rivals, going 10–14 against Division’s enemies in 2025, while left six out of seven series against them.
The Reds has lost two consecutive consecutives after the four-game winning streak. They have not lost three directly from May 31 to June 2.
“I think we are in a great place,” said Pitcher Brady Singer who started on Friday and tagged with disadvantages. “Clearly a lost tonight, but I am trusting my friends, I trust this team. We have a great season so far. It’s going to go on.”
Sunny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA) is going to be on the mound for cardinals on Saturday. The right hand begins against Cincinnati with 4.70 ERA in four career with 1-3 of the right hand.
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