Cardinals vs Nationals Prediction, Odds, Trends and MLB Betting Preview

The 2021 MLB season rolls on into Week 4. Thanks to the annual Patriots’ Day celebration in Boston, baseball fans have action to enjoy throughout the day. Among the matchups in primetime of today’s seven-game slate is an intriguing National League battle between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals. Both teams are off to slower starts than they would’ve liked this season and will look to begin the new week in style with a victory. The MLB betting oddsmakers view this one right down the middle with the road team being the slightest of favorites.

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Cardinals vs Nationals Game Info

St. Louis Cardinals (7-8, 5-4 Away) vs. Washington Nationals (5-8, 3-4 Home)
Date: Monday, Apr. 15, 2021
Start Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Location: Nationals Park — Washington, D.C.
Coverage: MLB Network
Starting Pitchers: STL: (Jack Flaherty, 2-0) | WAS: (Joe Ross, 1-0)

Cardinals vs Nationals Betting Odds

Moneyline: STL: (-115) | WAS: (-105)
Run Line: STL: -1.5 (+145) | WAS: +1.5 (-165)
Total: 8 — Over: (-120) | Under: (+100)

Cardinals vs Nationals MLB Betting Overview

Cardinals Outlook

After dropping two of three to the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, the Cardinals enter tonight’s MLB betting matchup having lost four of their last six games overall. The Cardinals could only muster two total hits in yesterday’s shutout loss. They’ll need to be better than that if they are to exact some revenge on the Nationals.

Righty Jack Flaherty will make his fourth appearance of the season for the Cardinals tonight. After a horrendous opening outing, Flaherty has given up just four total hits and one earned run over his last two starts. The legend that is Yadier Molina continued to grow over the weekend. Two of his three hits in Saturday’s win were home runs. The 38-year-old has to be considered one of the best to ever play the game. Paul Goldschmidt also had two hits on Saturday for a St. Louis lineup that will look to bounce back after Sunday’s disappointing performance.

Nationals Outlook

It was a tough weekend for the Nationals both on and off the field. After getting word that ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg would require a stint on the IL, Washington lost their Sunday afternoon matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks and had to settle for a series split. One positive that the Nats can take into tonight’s MLB betting matchup is the fact that they took two of three from the Cardinals in St. Louis last week. 

Joe Ross will be on the bump as Washington’s starter in Monday’s game. Many expected him to operate as a reliever this season, but Ross looks to be holding down a spot in the rotation for the foreseeable future. He is yet to allow a run while working 11 innings over two games against the Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Offensively, Kyle Schwarber stole the show over the weekend. After his walk-off homer on Friday, the outfielder came right back with three hits in Saturday’s game.

Cardinals vs Nationals MLB Betting Trends

• Cardinals 2021 Betting Trends: 7-8 Run Line; 8-6-1 to the Over
• Nationals 2021 Betting Trends: 5-8 Run Line; 5-8 to the Over
• Cardinals are just 1-5 in their last six games against right-handed starters.
• Nationals are 21-5 in their last 26 games against NL Central opponents.
• Under the total has hit in nine of the last 13 head-to-head meetings between the Cardinals and Nationals.

Cardinals vs Nationals Stats

• St. Louis is averaging 4.73 runs per game (RPG) this season (No. 9 in MLB)
• St. Louis is surrendering 5.20 RPG on the season (No. 29 in MLB)
• Washington is averaging 3.54 RPG this season (No. 26 in MLB)
• Washington is surrendering 4.69 RPG (No. 20 in MLB)

Cardinals vs Nationals Weather Report

According to Forecast.io

Status: Partly Clear
Temperature: 64℉
Humidity: 61%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 4 MPH (blowing out)

Cardinals vs Nationals Prediction

Neither pitching staff in this Cardinals vs Nationals matchup is off to an ideal start this season. That being said, tonight’s starters have just one bad outing and no losses between them. Will Jack Flaherty and Joe Ross be able to continue their success on the hill this evening?

With the total being set at an even eight runs, I’m inclined to look at betting this game over. Yesterday’s showing was a total anomaly for a loaded Cardinals offense. I like them to get back on track, be it against Ross or the Nationals iffy bullpen tonight. While Washington’s lineup failed to generate much against Flaherty last week, they did manage to work his pitch count effectively. I’m comfortable with saying the two teams can combine to push this one over the MLB betting total.

Pick: Over 8 (-120)

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