The Washington Nationals are set to host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the NL Championship. The Nationals currently have a commanding 2-0 series lead, and the matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:38 p.m. ET. It will be televised on TBS.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed St. Louis (+115) as the dog to Washington (-125). If you think this game’s total will go under 7.5 runs, bookmakers are currently offering even money odds (+100). Playing the over will return -120 odds. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Cardinals +1.5 runs (-180) and Nationals -1.5 runs (+160).
Taking into account the regular season, the Nationals are 99-71 straight up (SU) and 97-73 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 9.4 units for moneyline bettors and 20.4 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Cardinals have gone 94-75 SU this year and are 87-82 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 3.2 units for moneyline bettors and 1.1 units ATS. St. Louis has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Washington games have a 78-82-10 over/under record in 2019. St. Louis has been a great under bet with a total record of 70-87-12.
Jack Flaherty will get the start for St. Louis. The right-handed Flaherty is 11-8 with a 2.75 ERA and 231 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (0-0, 1.80 ERA and five strikeouts over five innings).
The Nationals are putting the ball in the hands of righty Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32 ERA), who has 251 strikeouts and 56 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.04. Strasburg is 1-0 with 15 strikeouts and a 2.31 ERA across two starts against St. Louis this year.
Behind a team slash line of .207/.276/.341, St. Louis has averaged 3.9 runs scored through seven playoff outings. The Nationals are hitting .226/.308/.360 and the team has managed 3.8 runs during this year’s playoffs.
The Nationals bullpen has registered an ERA of 6.04 and a WHIP of 1.43 this postseason, while Cardinals relievers have fared noticeably better with a 3.72 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
St. Louis’ offense has been sparked by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and second baseman Kolten Wong. Goldschmidt is hitting .264/.347/.486 with 36 home runs, 99 RBIs and 102 runs scored, while Wong is hitting .280/.358/.417 with 11 homers, 63 RBIs, 64 runs and 26 stolen bases.
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and shortstop Trea Turner have paced the Nationals’ hitters this year. Rendon is slashing .320/.414/.597 with 35 home runs, 131 RBIs and 123 runs scored, and Turner’s line is .297/.352/.495 with 20 homers, 58 RBIs, 101 runs and 35 steals.
The Nationals are coming off of a 3-1 win in Game .
Cardinals vs. Nationals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Cardinals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of St. Louis’ last seven games.
- The Cardinals have a team OPS of .734 this season and an OPS of .729 against right-handed pitchers. The Nationals’ OPS sits at .793 overall and .781 against righties.
- St. Louis has recorded 18.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 15.2 over its last five.
- The Cardinals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit nine over their last 10.
