The Washington Nationals had some tough luck early in the season, losing five of their first six games with those losses coming by a combined 11 runs. But they can build some momentum with a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Nats will be MLB betting underdogs for the series finale as they go against long-time Cardinals’ starter Adam Wainwright. Can Washington reverse its fortune?
Check out our free MLB picks and predictions for Nationals vs. Cardinals on Wednesday, April 14, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:15 p.m. ET.
Nationals vs Cardinals odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonFanDuel opened St. Louis a -134 favorite Tuesday evening, got as high as -144 and as low as -116, and is at -120 as of 1 p.m. ET, just before first pitch. The Cardinals are taking 64 percent of moneyline bets and 56 percent of moneyline cash. The total dipped from 8.5 to 8, with the current price of Over -114, and the Over is netting 65 percent of bets/60 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameNationals vs Cardinals betting preview
Starting pitchers
Joe Ross (0-0, 0.00 ERA): Ross started his 2021 campaign off on the right foot, shutting out the Dodgers on just two hits over five innings and he’ll look to ride that momentum into his next start against the Cardinals. The right-hander relies mostly on a sinker and a slider, both of which can be hard to barrel up.
Adam Wainwright (0-1, 8.22 ERA): It has been an up-and-down start to the year for Wainwright, who is in his 16th Big League season. The Cardinals’ veteran right-hander got rocked by the Reds in his first start, lasting only 2 2-3 innings, but he followed that up with five innings of five-hit, one-run ball against the Brewers. So, which Wainwright will we get in this one?
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Nationals: Will Harris RP (Out).
Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill LF (Out), Harrison Bader CF (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 6-1-2 in the last eight meetings between the Nationals and Cardinals in St. Louis. Find more MLB betting trends for Nationals vs. Cardinals.
Moneyline pick
As noted, it’s been a tough-luck start to the season for the Nationals. Prior to Tuesday night’s game, Washington's last five losses came by a total of 11 runs and—four of them were by three runs or fewer. So, it has been competitive despite the less-than-stellar results.
The Nats are actually hitting very well—their .279 team batting average is third-best in the majors—but they are scoring just 3.14 runs per game. So, they are just failing to come up with the clutch hits they need at the moment.
They could get that chance against the Cardinals. Early on this season, Wainwright is allowing opponents to hit for a .343 average and when he hands the ball off, it's to a bullpen that would be classified as ho-hum, ranking 15th in ERA and 16th in WHIP.
Despite the Cardinals’ offensive outburst in Tuesday night’s matchup, they still rank 21st in batting average and are hitting just .214 against right-handed pitching. Joe Ross should have a big impact in this one early and gives the Nats value as short underdogs.
PREDICTION: Nationals (+115)
Over/Under pick
The Cardinals took care of last night’s total by themselves, but this pitching matchup has the total for the series finale sitting at 8.5.
While St. Louis is plating over five runs per game so far this season, they have scored four runs or fewer in six of its 11 contests. So, the Cards certainly seem to be boom or bust, and as noted, they have struggled to hit for average against right-handed pitchers. Ross was able to take down the Dodgers potent lineup so he should be able to do the same against the Cardinals.
When you mix in the Nationals’ troubles when it comes to getting those clutch hits and driving in runs, we like this one to sneak Under the number.
PREDICTION: Under 8.5 (-110)
Nationals vs Cardinals betting card
- Nationals (+115)
- Under 8.5 (-110)
Picks made on 04/13/2021 at 10:17 p.m. ET
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