MLB odds: The St. Louis Cardinals have been an overlay on the betting board in the early going as they have fluttered around the .500 mark with an offense that has struggled to produce runs. The Washington Nationals have also struggled to make a profit with an inconsistent offense but are in the thick of the National League East race.
The St. Louis Cardinals will host the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on Friday night with coverage on MLBN starting at 8:15 PM ET. The probable starting pitchers are right hander Jordan Zimmerman for the Nats and right hander Lance Lynn for St. Louis.
Pitching Carries Nats
Washington ranked 3rd for earned run average and had the top bullpen in the game. The Nats were 12-14 on the road with just 9 of their 26 away games going under the total. Washington ranked 15th for runs scored. First year manager Matt Williams has been a positive influence and difference maker.
In the Red Birds
The Cardinals were 16-14 at home with just 10 of their 30 home games going under the total. St. Louis ranked 7th for earned run average but 25th for runs produced and lacked power with a ranking of 29th for home runs. The Cardinals trailed the upstart Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division.
The Pick
The St. Louis Cardinals have dominated the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium with 16 wins in their last 20 matchups with the Nats as just 4 out of the last 11 meetings between the Nats and Cards at Busch Stadium have gone under the total. Based on their strong head to head mark we’ll call for the St. Louis Cardinals and over the total!
