The Washington Nationals start their second series of the season with the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday at Nationals Park. The Nats swept the first series while only allowing the Cardinals to score a combined five runs in those three games.
- The Nationals are 7-16 in their past 23 games against the Cardinals.
- The OVER is 6-1 in the Cardinals’ past seven games.
- Bryce Harper will return to the Nationals’ lineup after getting the day off Wednesday.
After struggling to get acclimated in his new home of St. Louis, Mike Leake has started to look like the big free agent the Cardinals paid for this offseason. Leake is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA during the month of May while holding opponents to a paltry .200 batting average.
Joe Ross – who gets the start for the Nationals – is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Ross held a 0.79 ERA during the first month of the season, but that number has ballooned to a 4.50 ERA in May starts.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Those going with the Washington Nationals in this one found them listed on the odds board as moneyline favorites of -128 at Sportsbook for Thursday's contest. The betting total was hovering near 8 at Sportsbook.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 6.2-2.8 result in favor of the Nationals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Washington (28-19) will face the 24-23 Cardinals in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs St. Louis injuries news.
This game puts the Washington Nationals, most recently No. 3 in Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings, up against the St. Louis Cardinals, who rate a No. 5 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to getting on base, the visiting St. Louis Cardinals rank No. 6 at 9.28 hits per game. That compares with the Washington Nationals No. 19 ranking in that category.
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Washington has the No. 2-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Cardinals own the No. 21 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Cardinals were saddled with a loss last time out in C Martinez's start, as they lost 9-8 against Chicago on Wednesday at Busch Stadium.
The Nationals were shut out in their last start, struggling to get much going against the New York staff and losing 2-0 to the Mets on Wednesday at Nationals Park.
- St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games
- St. Louis is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of St. Louis's last 12 games on the road
- Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
- Washington is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games when playing St. Louis
- Washington is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Next Betting Matchups
St. Louis at Washington, Friday, May 27th
