Max Scherzer (5-3, 3.80 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (29-19) go up against Jaime Garcia (3-4, 3.59 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals (24-24) in the second of a four-game series at Nationals Park. The Nationals won the last game 2-1, and Washington leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 27 and will air on MASN and FSMW.
In his last start, Scherzer pitched 8.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out eight in an 8-2 victory over the Marlins. Daniel Murphy (.394, 26 Rs, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4. The Cardinals were unsuccessful the last time Garcia pitched. He struggled, going 2.1 innings, giving up five runs and walking one in a 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. Matt Adams (.320, 15 Rs, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. 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 3.8 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 are third in the league in WHIP at 1.120.
St. Louis has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The Cardinals are known for their power, smashing 65 home runs. St. Louis has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking fourth in the NL with 3.9 walks per game. St. Louis’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0.
So far this season, the Nationals are 4-0 against the Cardinals.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Washington is 13-7, while St. Louis is 15-12.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Cardinals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Nationals have a 15-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 23-5. The Cardinals have a 20-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th, Washington is in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 201 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top five at second with 259.
Ranking eighth, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 167 this season. Washington ranks in the top five at fourth with 181.
The Nationals are 22-8 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 19-14 when they hit at least one homer.
