Cardinals Edge Nationals in Thrilling Finish

What we said beforehand

The St. Louis Cardinals will face off against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on September 20, 2026, in what promises to be an intriguing matchup as the Nationals currently lead the series 2-0. The Cardinals come into this game with a record of 75-80, while the Nationals sit at 73-82. This game is significant not only for the standings but also for the teams' recent performances against each other.

In their last five games, the Cardinals have struggled, recording a 2-3 record. They recently faced the Nationals and suffered two losses, with scores of 9-1 and 8-5 in extra innings. Over these five games, the Cardinals averaged 2.8 runs scored per game while allowing 5.4 runs. Their home record has not been much better, as they are 4-6 in their last ten games at Busch Stadium, with a current losing streak of three games. In those home games, they have averaged 4.0 runs scored and allowed 5.3 runs.

Conversely, the Nationals enter this game with a more favorable recent form, having won four of their last five games, including their two recent victories over the Cardinals. They have averaged 5.4 runs scored and allowed 3.4 runs in their last five games. Their overall record in the last ten games is 5-5, and they have a strong away record of 4-1 in their last five away games.

Historically, the Cardinals have had the upper hand in head-to-head matchups, holding a 7-3 record against the Nationals over the last two seasons. However, the recent results suggest a shift in momentum, with the Nationals winning both games in this series. In their most recent meeting on September 19, the Cardinals were outscored significantly, which could impact their confidence going into the next game.

In terms of injuries, the Cardinals are dealing with several key players on the injured list, including Everson Pereira, Blaze Jordan, Joshua Baez, Hunter Dobbins, and Max Rajcic. The Nationals also have injuries affecting their roster, with Orlando Ribalta, DJ Herz, PJ Poulin, Connelly Early, and Matt Waldron on the injured list. The absence of these players could influence the strategies employed by both teams.

The betting lines for this matchup, as provided by DraftKings, have the Cardinals at -131 on the money line, while the Nationals are at +108. The spread is set at -1.5 for the Cardinals, and the total runs for the game is set at 8.5, with over odds at -121 and under odds at +100.

Weather conditions at Busch Stadium are expected to be warm, with a temperature of 89°F and a slight chance of precipitation at 5%. Wind gusts could reach up to 13 mph, potentially impacting gameplay.

As the game approaches, fans should watch for the performance of key players such as Alec Burleson for the Cardinals, who leads the team with a .284 batting average and 111 RBIs, and CJ Abrams for the Nationals, who has 30 home runs and 97 RBIs. The outcome of this game could be pivotal for both teams as they look to finish the season strong.