The St. Louis Cardinals are playing host to the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise this NL showdown.
Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Washington (+130) as the underdog to St. Louis (-140). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -120 or the under for +100. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -170 for the Nationals +1.5 runs and +150 for the Cardinals -1.5.
The Cardinals are 60-55 straight up (SU) and 58-59 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle much for gamblers, losing 4.7 units for moneyline bettors and 3.9 units (ATS). St. Louis has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Nationals have gone 59-55 SU this year and are 57-60 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 18.6 units for moneyline bettors and 4.8 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
St. Louis games have an over/under record of 54-58-5 in 2018. The Nationals have been a solid under bet with a total record of 48-66-3.
As a unit, St. Louis’ pitching staff has yielded 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.51, a WHIP of 1.24 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.1. The bullpen has a 4.32 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
The St. Louis offense has put up 4.5 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .264/.332/.438 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Left fielder Marcell Ozuna and third baseman Matt Carpenter have led the Cardinals’ hitters this year. Ozuna is hitting .272/.317/.394 with 13 home runs, 60 RBIs and 45 runs scored, and Carpenter is batting .281 with 31 homers, 63 RBIs and 77 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.06 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.70, along with a K/9 of 8.67.
The Nationals offense has slashed .250/.332/.415 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 6.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Washington’s offense has been powered by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The speedy Turner is slashing .273/.346/.417 with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 69 runs and 31 steals, while Rendon is slashing .295/.349/.516 with 16 homers, 58 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has logged 16 extra-base hits over its last five contests. St. Louis has 19 XBH over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cardinals have hit 10 over their last 10.
- St. Louis has posted 23.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.0 over its last five.
- The Cardinals have won four of their last five games SU.
