- Matchup: Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Broadcast: Cardinals.TV
- Betting Odds: Washington Nationals (+125) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-145)
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
This Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals (75-78) are set to host the Washington Nationals (71-82) at Busch Stadium. The odds for this contest show Washington at +125 and St. Louis at -145, with a total set at 9 runs. Starting on the mound will be Jake Irvin for the Nationals and Quinn Mathews for the Cardinals.
The Washington Nationals have accumulated a total of 270 doubles this season and have hit 200 home runs. With a slugging percentage of .426, they’ve struck out 1,281 times while earning 528 walks. The team is averaging 5.1 runs per game, ranking them 3rd in Major League Baseball. They’ve secured 737 runs batted in and made 1,289 hits, showcasing a batting average of .247 and an on-base percentage of .323.
With a K/BB ratio of 2.09, the Nationals’ pitching staff holds a collective WHIP of 1.39. This season, they’ve allowed 204 home runs and given up a total of 775 runs (27th in the league). The team’s earned run average stands at 4.71, placing them 27th in MLB, and they’ve managed to strike out 1,197 batters. They’ve issued 572 walks and their FIP for the season is 4.72.
Washington’s bullpen has achieved a save percentage of 48.7%, participating in 154 save opportunities. They’ve recorded 37 saves but have failed to convert on 39 of 76 chances. The relief unit has dealt with 251 inherited runners this year, with 40.6% of those scoring. The Nationals’ pitchers have been in high-leverage situations 161 times and sent 482 relievers to the mound this season. They’ve secured 72 holds, ranking 25th in the league.
Defensively, the Nationals have tallied 4,068 putouts alongside 1,381 assists and 98 errors. Their current fielding percentage is .982, putting them at 29th in MLB, with 128 double plays turned. They have converted 69.7% of balls in play into outs across 12,204 innings, ranking them 15th overall.
Irvin has pitched a total of 584 innings throughout his career, striking out 475 batters. His career record stands at 24-43, with a FIP of 4.96 and an earned run average of 5.04 (allowing 327 earned runs). With a WHIP of 1.352, Irvin has allowed 576 hits and issued 214 walks, averaging 8.9 hits per 9 innings.
For the St. Louis Cardinals, they have hit 158 home runs this year, driving in 671 runs and hitting 221 doubles. They’ve earned 491 walks and scored a total of 693 runs. The Cardinals currently hold an on-base percentage of .316 and a batting average of .242. Their slugging percentage is .382, resulting in a scoring average of 4.53 runs per game, ranking 12th overall. They’ve struck out 1,204 times this season (25th in MLB) and registered 1,250 hits.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff has allowed 707 runs this year, resulting in a team ERA of 4.28 with 649 earned runs. They have allowed 152 home runs and relinquished 4.66 runs per 9 innings (21st in MLB). The collective WHIP for the Cardinals stands at 1.357, with a FIP of 4.09. Their strikeout to walk ratio is currently 8.00 (1,216 strikeouts against 532 walks), ranking them 25th in the league for total hits allowed (1,319).
In terms of the bullpen, the Cardinals have a save rate of 60.0% and have utilized 521 relievers this season. Their relief pitchers have made 192 appearances in high-leverage situations and 158 times with runners on base. With 175 save opportunities, the bullpen has recorded 96 holds but has also suffered 30 blown saves. St. Louis pitchers have initiated 75 save opportunities, achieving 45 saves out of those chances, while 40.8% of inherited runners have scored.
Over the course of 12,282 innings, the Cardinals show a defensive efficiency rate of 68.9% (ranked 26th in MLB). They’ve executed 148 double plays and feature a solid fielding percentage of .988 (6th in MLB). The team has achieved a total of 1,428 assists, made 68 errors, and recorded 4,094 putouts this season.
Mathews holds a career record of 2-3 and has managed a 3.64 ERA while yielding 8.7 hits per 9 innings. His career validated strikeout to walk ratio is 2.25, having faced 162 hitters. Allowing 15 earned runs and boasting a WHIP of 1.402, his FIP is marked at 3.6. Throughout his career, Mathews has given up 36 total hits while achieving 36 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched.
Who will come out on top in tonight’s MLB showdown? Will it be against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Back St. Louis (-145)
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
