Stephen Strasburg (8-0, 2.79 ERA) gets the start for the Washington Nationals (29-21) as they meet Michael Wacha (2-5, 5.04 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals (26-24) in the last of a four-game series at Nationals Park. The Cardinals won the last game 9-4, and St. Louis leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 29 and will air on MASN and FSMW.
In his last start, Strasburg pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out 11 and walking two in a 7-4 victory over the Mets. Daniel Murphy (.390, 27 Rs, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Cardinals were unsuccessful the last time Wacha pitched. He struggled, going 4.0 innings, giving up eight runs, striking out four and walking four in a 12-3 loss to the Cubs. Matt Adams (.327, 15 Rs, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs) went 1 for 1 yesterday with two RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Washington has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking fifth in the NL with an average of 3.6 walks per game. Washington’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The Nationals don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking third in the league with a 1.130 WHIP.
They sport the top-ranked offense in the NL, averaging six runs per game. The Cardinals are known for their power, smashing 68 home runs. St. Louis has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking third in the NL with 3.9 walks per game. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the St. Louis pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
The Nationals have gotten the best of the Cardinals in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-2.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
The Nationals managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cardinals who are coming in with a 9-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Cardinals have a slight leg up on the Nationals, as the Cardinals have won their last two games while the Nationals have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 23-6. The Cardinals have a 21-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, Washington is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 207 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five at second with 274.
Ranking seventh, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 176 this season. Washington ranks in the top five with 182.
The Nationals are 22-10 when they hit at least one home run. The Cardinals perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 21-14 record.
