ODDS ANALYSIS
Two favorites to win their division square off in a three-game set when the Central Division St. Louis Cardinals travel to our nation’s capital for a an early season showdown with the Washington Nationals. The Cards have been money early this season cashing the moneyline eight times in the black 4.21 units. They’ve also been good on the runline going 7-4 at +591. The Cards traditionally play tight, low-scoring games and this season is no different cashing the under in their final two games with Cincinnati and four times in their last five games and seven times total through 11 games.
The favorites in the NL East started slowly but picked things up lately winning four of five starting with a 10-5 win over Boston last week. The Nats were 5-5 playing as the favorite through their first 13 games and were down 3.02 units. The over is 6-1 in Washington’s last seven games with a streak of six straight ending Sunday in the series finale against Philadelphia.
PITCHING MATCHUP
John Lackey (1-0, 2.77 ERA) became the first Cardinals pitcher to finish seven innings when he cruised against Milwaukee last Thursday scattering five singles and walk over his seven shutout frames to earn the victory.
Lackey is 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against the Nats but hasn’t faced them since the 2008 season when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.
Doug Fister (1-0, 0.69 ERA) won his first game of the season after allowing two runs – one earned – in 6.2 innings Thursday against the Phillies. Fister wasn’t at his best yet he could have gotten through the outing scoreless with better outfield play. Fister had the benefit of facing the Phillies in both starts putting his ERA at a miniscule 0.69.
In six career starts against the Cardinals Fister is 3-2 with a 1.99 ERA giving up 33 hits and nine walks for a 1.03 WHIP in 40.2 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“With Denard (Span) at the top of it in center field, it feels like normalcy. So it’s a good feeling. Michael (A. Taylor) played really well when he was here, but today was a step back to where we had planned it all along.” – Nationals manager Matt Williams on Denard Span’s return to the lineup Sunday.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Don’t expect an abundance of offense in this series with two teams built on starting pitching. Both will have to scratch and claw for offense but the Nats have a major scratcher and clawer back in their lineup with the early return of centerfielder and leadoff man Denard Span, who was in the lineup Sunday for the first time this season just six weeks after surgery. Span keyed a two-out three-run rally in the fifth inning Sunday lifting the Nats to a win. Span can generate offense with his ability to get on base and the lineup behind him, that includes Jayson Werth who came off the DL last week, just clicked and should be more potent with a pair of projected starters back in the order.
PROP TALK
It’s hard to imagine Nationals slugger Ryan Zimmerman is in his 11th season and is the only player to serve with the team for its duration following the move from Montreal prior to the 2005 season. Zimmerman made the move to first base after shoulder injuries prompted a move from his original third base spot. A career .284 hitter Zimmerman has struggled, like many of the Nats, at the beginning of the season entering this series batting below .200, but showed signs of snapping out with his first multi-hit game Sunday. Though he’s never faced John Lackey, we like Zim to get a few hits and climb above the Mendoza Line.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Cardinals are playing the type of baseball that’s made them the envy of the big leagues led once again by a solid pitching staff that’s the best in MLB. They’ve been particularly stingy against the Nats recently leading to wins in 11 of the last 13 meetings. The Cards lackluster offense will be challenged by Doug Fister, who sports a 0.69 ERA through two starts.
After a brutal stretch where the Nats couldn’t hit their way out of a wet paper bag their fortunes have changed with Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman leading the offensive attack. The top of the order gets a boost with Denard Span making his season debut Sunday, slotted into his usual leadoff spot and flanked in the outfield by Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper. The offense and the team looked rejuvenated with his presence. We like the Nats to get the middle game of the series behind a strong effort from Fister.
Washington 4, St. Louis 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The game will be televised live on MASN and FOX Sports Midwest.
