Cardinals vs Nationals Prediction 9/20/26 MLB Picks Today

The St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals clash Sunday in MLB action at Busch Stadium. Here’s a Cardinals vs. Nationals Prediction. This article will include a Cardinals vs. Nationals Pick.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview  

The Washington Nationals are 73-82 on the year and play the Tigers and Mets next. The Washington Nationals are batting .247 on the season, with a .323 OBP and a .426 slugging percentage. The Washington Nationals’ pitching staff has a 4.69 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. CJ Abrams leads the Washington Nationals with 145 hits and 97 RBI, while James Wood and Daylen Lile have combined for 271 hits and 162 RBI.  

Jake Irvin gets the ball for the Washington Nationals, and he is 2-9 with a 5.51 ERA and 96 strikeouts this season. Irvin is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA and 11 strikeouts in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview  

The St. Louis Cardinals are 75-80 on the year and play the Pirates and Brewers next. The St. Louis Cardinals are batting .242 on the season, with a .316 OBP and a .381 slugging percentage. The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff has a 4.30 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Alec Burleson leads the St. Louis Cardinals with 164 hits and 111 RBI, while Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera have combined for 298 hits and 165 RBI. 

Quinn Mathews gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 36 strikeouts this season. This will be Mathews’ first career game against the Washington Nationals. 

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Nationals have lost each of their last 13 games as road underdogs against NL opponents.
• The favorites have won 13 of the Nationals’ last 14 games.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games against NL opponents following an extra-innings win.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in five of their last six day games at Busch Stadium following a loss.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven road day games.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four day games at Busch Stadium.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won each of their last six games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cardinals have lost four of their last five games as favorites against NL opponents.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games against teams that held a losing record.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the Cardinals’ last five games.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in each of their last three games against NL opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Nationals’ last six road games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Cardinals’ last eight games as favorites against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cardinals’ last five games against NL East opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Nationals’ last four games.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Jordan Walker has hit a home run in each of the Cardinals’ last two games as favorites against the Nationals.
• Quinn Mathews has recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Jordan Walker has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Cardinals as favorites against NL East opponents.
• Alec Burleson ranks T8th in the league in Hits (165) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Jake Irvin has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his 10 previous appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Abimelec Ortiz has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (46) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cardinals rank 28th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.381).
• The Cardinals rank 4th in the league for home runs allowed this season (154).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for steals this season (170).
• The Nationals rank T2nd in the league for doubles this season (275).

Cardinals vs Nationals Prediction 

The Cardinals should have the edge at home with Mathews on the mound. He’s been a solid rookie through 37.1 innings with a 3.62 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. However, as I’ve said all series, if forced to get involved with either side at this stage of the season, I need a favorable price attached. Give me some bang for my buck. Give me some plus money. The Nationals have also been more competitive overall and are playing through the finish line. The Nats haven’t rolled over and died. I’ll take the underdog yet again, even if Irvin isn’t an attractive option on the mound.