After a slow start, Cardinals have fared well in openers at Cincinnati

Cardinals Matt Carpenter and Adam Wainwright bump hands before the start of the game on Monday afternoon, March 31, 2014, at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Thursday’s Cardinals opener at Cincinnati will be the 18th time the Cardinals have started the season on the road against the Reds. The Cardinals have a narrow 9-8 edge but since they became relevant with their first World Series title in 1926, the Cardinals have won nine of 13 openers at Cincinnati, including three in succession and five of the past six.