The Washington Nationals pace the National League East division with a 28-19 record but they lead the New York Mets by just half a game. They will look to increase that cushion with a home game against the St. Louis Cardinals, who’ll be parading an on-a-roll Mike Leake. Read on for more about Game 1 of this four-game series. You can also check out our breakdown of the White Sox vs. Royals game.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals
Where: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
When: Thursday, May 26, 2016, 7:05 PM ET
Line: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals (24-23)
Mike Leake had a forgettable performance the last time he faced Washington, but consecutive solid starts of late should keep his morale high heading into another showdown with the Nats.
Leake was tagged with five earned runs on five hits in seven innings of action in a 5-4 loss to Washington on April 29. Leake, however, turned a new corner following that loss, as he’s gone 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts since. Leake most recently demonstrated his pitching chops with a masterful seven-inning performance of a 6-2 win over Arizona on May 21, wherein he didn’t allow a run while giving away just four hits.
Hopefully for the Cards, Leake’s arm will be just as great later tonight. The Cards’ offense have scored 21 runs over their last two games, but still managed to lose both games due to weak pitching. The Cards are tops in the National League in runs (258) and sixth in the majors in batting average (.268).
The Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 games in Washington.
Betting on the Washington Nationals (28-19)
Unlike Leake, Washington starter Joe Ross is stuck in a losing streak. After Ross went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA in his first four starts of the season, the wheels appeared to have fallen off for the right-hander. In four starts thus far this month, Ross was able to compile a 0-4 record and a 4.50 ERA.
Ross did look good though in his last outing, allowing just two earned runs, albeit on eight hits, in 5.2 frames of a 3-2 loss to Miami on May 21.
This will be Ross’ second meeting with the Cardinals. He recorded his third win of the season against St. Louis on April 30, when he pitched for six full innings. yielding just one earned run on six hits in a 6-1 victory at Busch Stadium. Ross is 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in three starts at home this season.
As for the run support, the Nationals are counting on Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon to provide spark at the plate. Murphy, who went 2-for-4 in a 2-0 loss to the Mets on Wednesday, is batting .393 in his last seven games. Rendon, meanwhile, is 8-for-25 (.320) with a home run and six RBIs during the same stretch.
The under is 5-1 in Ross’ last six starts overall.
Writer’s Prediction
St. Louis wins, 5-3.
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