The Washington Nationals (2-5) look to make it two in a row over the St. Louis Cardinals (5-5) when they meet Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nationals vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Stephen Strasburg is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals. He was limited to two starts and five total innings in 2020 before undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in his right hand.
Strasburg was sharp in his 2021 debut. He tossed six shutout innings against the Braves, allowing one hit and striking out eight, and inducing 12 swinging strikes on 85 pitches. He has made three career starts in St. Louis, where he has recorded a 3.38 ERA and 9.6 K/9 in 18 2/3 innings.
RHP Jack Flaherty is the projected starting pitcher for the Cardinals. He never really got back on track following the team’s COVID layoff in August of last year and ended the season with a 4.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, and 3.6 BB/9 in nine starts.
Flaherty has had one good start and one bad one so far in 2021, which has added up to a 5.23 ERA and 8.7 K/9.
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Nationals at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:22 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nationals -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Cardinals -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nationals -1.5 (+155) | Cardinals +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under: 7 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Prediction
Nationals 5, Cardinals 3
Money line (ML)
The Cardinals have lost three in a row, all games in which they were playing at home and favored to win.
It’s still not clear Flaherty is at his best, as even in his six shutout inning outing, he walked four batters, and is sporting a 10/6 K/BB through two starts (10 1/3 innings).
Strasburg’s velocity wasn’t all the way back to pre-2020 levels in his first start, but he missed a lot of bats in his strong performance.
Though Washington is off to a slow start, the return of Kyle Schwarber and Josh Bell from the COVID list on Monday should provide a spark.
Side with the NATIONALS (-105).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
All five of the Cardinals’ losses this season have been by more than one run, and Flaherty, with a 1.7 K/BB and 5.76 FIP, can’t be fully trusted to shut down the Washington bats.
A small play on the NATIONALS -1.5 (+155) makes sense here.
Over/Under (O/U)
This line is low, especially considering Flaherty hasn’t really been dominant in quite some time, and Strasburg may not be stretched out enough to go more than six innings.
Don’t expect a real high-scoring game, but OVER 7 (-120) looks like the way to go.
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