Cardinals vs. Nationals Prediction
Can the Cardinals snap their three-game losing skid with a win over Max Scherzer and the Nationals today at 4:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Nationals are -210 to beat the Cardinals, who have odds of +177 to pull off the upset today in D.C. With Scherzer set to oppose Mike Leake in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 7.5 runs.
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Leake (0-1) was a hard-luck loser last Friday against the Reds, as he surrendered just one earned run on six hits and one walk over eight innings. He struck out six. Leake pitched well this spring so it’s not a total surprise that he started off the year on the right foot, although a lot of his success will depend on a shaky Cardinals defense, as he produces a ton of groundballs.
Scherzer (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings to earn the win last Friday against the Phillies. The Nationals provided Scherzer with a 7-0 lead that the bullpen nearly blew in the late innings, but the 32-year-old earned his first win of 2017 nonetheless.
Bet Today’s Cardinals vs. Nationals Game
OUR PICK: The Cardinals are 4-1 in Leake’s last five road starts versus a team with a winning record and are 39-17 in their last 56 games after losing the first two games of a series. For one reason or another, the Nationals are just 1-5 in Scherzer’s last six starts against the National League Central and are 1-4 in their last five games after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
WEDNESDAY MLB FREE PICK: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS +177