2019 MLB – Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals taking place? Saturday 12th October, 2019 – 01:08 (UK)
Where is Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals taking place? Busch Stadium
What is the expected weather for Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals? Clear, 7c
What television channel is Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals on? BT Sport 1 in the UK / TBS in the US
Where can I stream Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv in the US
Where can I get tickets for Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Washington Nationals 1 – 5 St. Louis Cardinals
THE TEAM NEWS
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
- The Nationals shocked the world in the first round of the National League playoffs after defeating Los Angeles Dodgers in a pivotal Game 5 of the NLDS, thanks to a grand slam from Howard Kendrick in extra innings. The Nats have gone 4-2 in the playoffs thus far, eliminating the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card Game and the Dodgers in the NLDS.
- Outfielder Victor Robles remains doubtful to be part of the NLCS roster due to a nagging hamstring injury, while Kurt Suzuki (concussion) and Roenis Elias (hamstring) are also doubtful ahead of Game 1. Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon are two players to watch here. Both homered in Game 5 of the NLDS and are hitting .278 and .412 with OPS of 1.020 and 1.220, respectively.
- Anibal Sanchez will get the start for Game 1 of the NLCS for the Nationals. The veteran is coming off a solid one-run effort in five innings during Game of the NLDS, and will attempt to do another proper job this time. During the 2019 regular season, he went 11-8 with a 3.85 ERA.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
- The Cardinals used their experience and an offensive barrage to eliminate the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, as they secured a Game 5 win on the road thanks to a 13-1 victory that included a 10-run first innings. The Cardinals, a team that averaged 5.2 runs scored during the NLDS although exactly half of those runs came in Game 5, do not enter this contest on a solid run of form. Including the regular season, they have gone 4-6 in their last 10 outings. Can they turn things around when they are just four wins away from a World Series berth?
- Michael Wacha continues to deal with a shoulder injury and based on recent reports, he’s not expected to be part of the NLCS roster. Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna have been driving forces for the Cardinals so far in the playoffs, and both are hitting for .429 in postseason play thus far.
- Miles Mikolas will be the Game 1 starter for the Cardinals, and he did a great job in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing only one run in five innings. During the 2019 regular season, the right-hander posted a 9-14 record but a 4.16 ERA. But he has a 1.50 ERA in two playoff appearances during 2019.
THE PREDICTION
The Cardinals have the edge since they will be playing at home and currently have their morale all the way through the roof thanks to their 13-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS, but the Nationals defeated the top team in the NL while being superior all over the series. Pitching-wise this could be an even matchup, but the Nationals have the better offense and two scorching-hot bats in Soto and Rendon. Expect the Nats to take Game 1 of the series.
