The Washington Nationals (1-5) are visiting the St. Louis Cardinals (5-4) Monday for Game 1 of a three-game set at Busch Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nationals vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Washington was swept 3-0 by the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and was shut out in two of those games. St. Louis lost back-to-back games—allowing 9 runs in each—against the NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers to drop its previous series 2-1.
RHP Erick Fedde (0-1) makes his second start for the Nationals. He was smacked around in a 7-6 Nationals loss to the Atlanta Braves Wednesday. He lasted only 1 2/3 IP, giving up 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks with just 1 strikeout.
RHP John Gant (0-0) is on the mound for the Cardinals in his second start of the season and since 2018. He pitched 4 innings with only 1 unearned run allowed, while allowing 4 hits, striking out 4 and walking 3 in St. Louis’ 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins last week.
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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 3:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nationals +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Cardinals -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nationals +1.5 (-150) | Cardinals -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Cardinals 7, Nationals 5
Money line (ML)
PASS with a “lean” on the Cardinals (-145) because I think St. Louis is the right side but the money line is a little too expensive.
Also, I have faith the Nationals will have a good season and their 1-5 record has a lot to do with playing the teams that played for the 2020 NL pennant, which keeps me away from the Cardinals’ money line.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
April has been Gant’s best month throughout his career; he is 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 35 K and 13 BB in 1 start and 21 relief appearances in March and April.
Since the beginning of 2019, Statcast grades Fedde in the bottom-third of the majors in many advanced pitching metrics including K%, Whiff% and xwOBA.
Furthermore, Fedde had a plus-5 ERA in spring training and was teed off on last week. The outing brought his career April ERA to 7.94 but in only two appearances.
BET CARDINALS -1.5 (+125) for .75 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 8.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit. The reason Gant is starting is due to injuries in the Cardinals rotation so he’s more of a wild card than a known quantity.
While the Nationals hitters are in the basement of the league vs. right-handed pitchers, they’ve faced quality opponents and have the fewest at-bats against righties since Washington’s first three games were postponed due to COVID-19.
The Nationals lineup could certainly get to a Cardinals pitching staff that has allowed 9 or more runs in four of their nine games this season.
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