| MATCHUP | Washington Nationals | St. Louis Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 73-82 | 75-80 |
| Spread | +1.5 -164 | -1.5 135 |
| Moneyline | +123 | -149 |
| Total | Over 9 (-109) | Under 9 (-111) |
| Where | Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri | |
| When | Sunday, September 20, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:15 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 73-82 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.
Jake Irvin gets the ball for the Washington Nationals, and he is 2-9 with a 5.51 ERA and 96 strikeouts this season. Irvin is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA and 11 strikeouts in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 75-80 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.
Quinn Mathews gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 36 strikeouts this season. This will be Mathews’ first career game against the Washington Nationals.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last 10 games as road underdogs.
- The Cardinals have won five of their last six day games against NL East opponents following a home loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four day games following a win.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in five of their last six day games following a home loss.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four day games.
- The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against NL East opponents.
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 NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games against NL opponents.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last five games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four games.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against the Cardinals.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Cardinals’ last five games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Nationals’ last four road games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Nationals’ last four games at Busch Stadium.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in six of the last seven games between the Nationals and Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Jordan Walker has hit a home run in three of the Cardinals’ last five games against the Nationals.
- Quinn Mathews has recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his four previous appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Jordan Walker has recorded a hit in each of his last six appearances with the Cardinals as home favorites against NL East opponents.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- James Wood has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
- Jake Irvin has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in 18 of his last 19 appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- James Wood ranks 4th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.392) 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 home runs this season (158).
- The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for slugging percentage this season (.425).
- The Nationals rank 3rd in the league for runs scored this season (795).
Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction
The Cardinals should have the edge at home with Mathews on the mound. He’s been a solid rookie through 37.1 innings with a 3.62 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. However, as I’ve said all series, if forced to get involved with either side at this stage of the season, I need a favorable price attached. Give me some bang for my buck. Give me some plus money. The Nationals have also been more competitive overall and are playing through the finish line. The Nats haven’t rolled over and died. I’ll take the underdog yet again, even if Irvin isn’t an attractive option on the mound.