| MATCHUP | Washington Nationals | St. Louis Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 73-82 | 75-80 |
| Where | Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri | |
| When | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:15 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
The Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals meet Saturday in MLB action at Busch Stadium. Here’s a Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction. This article will include a Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Pick.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 72-82 on the year and play the Tigers and Mets next. The Washington Nationals are batting .247 on the season, with a .323 OBP and a .426 slugging percentage. The Washington Nationals’ pitching staff has a 4.69 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. CJ Abrams leads the Washington Nationals with 145 hits and 97 RBI, while James Wood and Daylen Lile have combined for 271 hits and 162 RBI.
Andrew Alvarez gets the ball for the Washington Nationals, and he is 2-6 with a 3.35 ERA and 99 strikeouts this season. This will be Alvarez’s first career game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 75-79 on the year and play the Pirates and Brewers next. The St. Louis Cardinals are batting .242 on the season, with a .316 OBP and a .381 slugging percentage. The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff has a 4.30 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Alec Burleson leads the St. Louis Cardinals with 164 hits and 111 RBI, while Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera have combined for 298 hits and 165 RBI.
Michael McGreevy gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 7-9 with a 3.83 ERA and 112 strikeouts this season. This will be McGreevy’s second career game against the Washington Nationals.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last 13 games as road underdogs against NL opponents.
- The home team has won 10 of the Nationals’ last 12 games.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in six of their last eight home games following a home loss.
- The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Cardinals have lost four of their last five games as favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have won each of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in 19 of the Cardinals’ last 22 games.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against the Cardinals.
- The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five home games.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Cardinals’ last five games as favorites against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cardinals’ last four games against NL East opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in six of Andrew Alvarez’s last seven appearances as a starter.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Alec Burleson has hit a home run in three of the Cardinals’ last four games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Jordan Walker has recorded at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Abimelec Ortiz has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against NL Central opponents.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
- James Wood ranks 10th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.518) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cardinals rank 26th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.254).
- The Cardinals rank 25th in the league for doubles this season (221).
- The Nationals rank 3rd in the league for runs scored this season (778).
- The Nationals rank 3rd in the league for RBIs this season (737).
Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction
As I said yesterday, if forced to get involved with two teams that have nothing to play for at this point in the season, I need to get a favorable price. The Nationals have been more competitive and continue to play hard, and they cashed for us yesterday. McGreevy has been sharp with a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, but Alvarez has been even sharper with a 3.35 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. We’re getting plus money with the Nats. I’m backing them again.