MLB Lines – Cardinals vs Nats
The St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals will kick off a four-game series on Thursday in the Nation’s Capital.
STL: Adam Wainwright (R) (2-1, 2.57 ERA) v WAS: Taylor Jordan (R) (0-1, 4.76 ERA)
Date/Time: 7:05 pm ET Thursday, April 17, 2014
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
Broadcast: MLB Network
Line: 141 Nationals
Total: 7
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The Cardinals (9-6) sit just two games back of Milwaukee in the National League Central after winning four of their last five games and are playing well offensively.
They are led by Matt Adams and Yadier Molina, who have combined for 40 hits so far this year
Add in that the Cards’ pitching staff, which has allowed four or fewer runs in four of their last five games, and St. Louis is the clear favorite heading into this series with the Nationals, who just snatched two of three games from the Miami Marlins and themselves are 9-6 on the season.
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Washington’s offense, which has struggled until recently, came alive in its series against Miami, scoring a whopping 17 runs in three games. Anthony Rendon had four hits and three RBIs.
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Pitching has also gotten its steam back, as the Nats’ arms have allowed three or fewer runs in two of the three games.
They will look to keep that type of domination alive by sending Taylor Jordan to the mound in game one against the Cards. The right-hander is 0-1 on the season with a 4.76 ERA, and has allowed six runs in 11.1 innings of work.
This will be Jordan’s first time pitching against the Cardinals in his career.
St. Louis meanwhile, will call on Adam Wainwright, who is 2-1 on the season with a 2.57 ERA.
The veteran righty has fanned 24 batters in 21 innings of work so far this season, and is 6-3 with an ERA of 3.17 in 10 career starts against the Nationals.
Matt’s Free Prediction:
Cardinals
The Nationals have been a little up and down lately and have probably won a few more games they should have lost.
The Cardinals on the other hand are good from top to bottom, lineup and pitching wise and should have no problem, starting off this series with a big win on Thursday.
