CINCINNATI -- The Cardinals are finally getting an extended look at the outfield they long envisioned they would have this season. And it’s passing with flying colors.

Tyler O'Neill, Harrison Bader and Dylan Carlson have been central to the club’s winning ways in July, and they continued by helping the Cardinals to a 10-6 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park on a muggy Sunday afternoon. They each went yard as part of a four-homer day for St. Louis, doing enough to put Johan Oviedo in line for his first win (though he failed to make it through five innings) and enough to stave off a sweep.

Plans that were put into place by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and Co. are now thriving.

“Front office knows what it’s talking about,” quipped Bader, whose fourth-inning homer was part of a seven-run frame and his own two-hit day, alongside a walk. “We're just a bunch of young players looking to go out there and play hard and contribute. That's really all there is to it.”

It was a win highlighted by an offensive outburst, paired with the ejections of manager Mike Shildt and Génesis Cabrera after they expressed displeasure with the umpiring on the weekend. It was also the Cardinals’ first game since May 1 with double-digit runs, their third game this season with at least four homers and their third with at least three home runs in July, after just one such game in June. Nolan Arenado joined the outfield with his team-leading 20th of the season in the ninth for good measure.

And on Sunday, such an outpouring propelled the Cardinals back to .500 (50-50) as they embark on the final week (just two games) before Friday's Trade Deadline, which comes with three takeaways:

Oh my, outfield
Manager Mike Shildt was blunt when asked about outfield production earlier this week: “When we haven't had it -- regardless of who's out there -- it compromises our ability to score consistent runs,” he said. “When we have it, it makes life a lot easier.”

Life was much easier for the Cardinals on Sunday, even amid a harrowing bases-loaded, no-out eighth inning that Giovanny Gallegos escaped.

That all three outfielders homered on Sunday was not an aberration. Bader is riding a hot streak since returning from the injured list, with eight multihit efforts and at least one hit in 15 of 19 games since returning off the IL. O'Neill has been one of the most consistent presences in the lineup, and Carlson holds the mantle with leadoff duties.

“This is the first time that Harry, Dylan and myself have had a stretch of games together,” O’Neill said, referring to his and Bader’s multiple injuries. “We're just figuring out how to put it all together.”

Sunday was just the 27th game this season the Cardinals have started all three outfielders in concert. They are 17-10 in those games.

Where does Ovie go from here?
Perhaps the question will be answered -- transactionally -- in the coming weeks. A fully healthy rotation would probably mean that Oviedo was at Triple-A Memphis this season, not this self-proclaimed "trial by fire" the Cardinals acknowledge he’s undergoing. Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas are nearing returns, upon which time Oviedo and Jake Woodford will likely be returned to the Minors. Things could be expedited if the club makes a pitching addition by Friday’s Trade Deadline.

Until then, St. Louis appreciates the lessons Oviedo has learned. The positive affirmation of a first win -- his first major career accolade -- would be nice, but it will take the lessons if it results in career success down the road, coupled with a team win.

Oviedo, still only 23, has pitched just one season above Class A ball entering this year.

"Bottom line, I have to stop throwing walks,” he said. “That's not an excuse. I'm tired of it, and I've got to stop."

Just two to go
Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (now with the first-place White Sox) was seldom shy when he felt his clubs were due a boost at the Trade Deadline. Shildt, a La Russa disciple, has taken a different path in his career, keeping the focus inward, the morale high and the roster maximized to what it can provide.

Though the wins have come easier this month, the Cardinals have done little to clarify their picture ahead of Friday’s Trade Deadline, 1 1/2 games back of the Reds for second in the NL Central and 8 1/2 back of the first-place Brewers.

St. Louis has committed to either buying or holding pat at the Trade Deadline. One win in three tries at Cincinnati simply left its identity in the balance, with not much opportunity for clairvoyance.

One hundred games into the 2021 season, the Cardinals are 50-50.