St. Louis Cardinals vs
Washington NationalsPredictions & Preview

Nationals Favored Over Cardinals in Pitching Match-Up for Series Opener, Betting Line Opens at -108

This content provides a preview of the upcoming series between the Cardinals and Nationals, with a focus on the pitching matchup for the opening game. The Cardinals are currently tied for third place in the NL Central, while the Nationals are in fourth in the NL East. Erick Fedde will start for the Cardinals with a 4.78 ERA, while Mitchell Parker will start for the Nationals with a 3.48 ERA. The Nationals are favored to win the game, with a betting line opening at -108.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals -102 | Nationals -108
• Spread: Cardinals -1.5 (+158) | Nationals +1.5 (-192)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Washington will win straight-up is 52%.

St. Louis vs Washington Stats

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals arrive in Washington DC with a record of 19-19 after a five-game winning streak, which includes a sweep of the Pirates. Sonny Gray was outstanding in their last game, pitching seven scoreless innings and striking out eight batters. The offense was led by Masyn Winn and Lars Nootbaar. The team is still looking to improve their road performance, with a 4-13 record away from home. Erick Fedde will start the series opener with a 2-3 record this season. Despite being ranked 20th in power rankings, the Cardinals are 13th in offense and 19th in defense. Key injuries include SP Quinn Matthews and RP Zack Thompson being out.

Washington Nationals Analysis

The Washington Nationals are looking to start a winning streak as they welcome the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals to Nationals Park on Friday night. The Nationals are currently 17-21 on the season after dropping their last two games to the Guardians. In their most recent game, they fell 8-6 after leading 3-0 early on. Starter Michael Soroka had a solid outing, but the offense couldn't muster enough runs to come back. On Friday, the Nationals will send out Mitchell Parker, who has had a decent season so far with a 3-2 record and an ERA of 3.48. Despite his struggles with command, the Nationals have won 3 out of his last 5 starts. The team is currently dealing with key injuries to Orlando Ribalta, Cade Cavalli, and Derek Law. In terms of power ranking, the Nationals are ranked 22nd and excel in offense, scoring an average of 4.38 runs per game. However, they struggle on defense, giving up an average of 5.32 runs per game. In head-to-head matchups, the Cardinals have recently won 2 out of their last 3 games against the Nationals.

St. Louis Cardinals Struggle on the Road Against Washington Nationals with Strong Pitcher Match-Up

Despite their recent success, the St. Louis Cardinals have struggled on the road this season with a disappointing 4-13 record. Adding to their challenge is the formidable pitcher, Parker, who is well-rested and has delivered five quality starts in his first seven appearances this year. The Washington Nationals have a winning record in Parker's last five starts, going 3-2. The Cardinals' road struggles can be partly attributed to their inability to hit effectively away from home, maintaining a batting average of just .228 on the road compared to their overall average of .260. On the other hand, the Nationals have a respectable 10-9 record at home this season, suggesting they are well-equipped to capitalize on the Cardinals' road woes. Consequently, it is advisable to consider betting on the Nationals with the money line for Friday night's game.

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