Washington
Nationals
73-82
Moneyline
+123
MLB Predictions
Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Predictions
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 2:15pm EST at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
@
St. Louis
Cardinals
75-80
Moneyline
-148
50%
50%
Spread
Washington Nationals +1.5
St. Louis Cardinals -1.5
Moneyline
Washington Nationals +123
St. Louis Cardinals -148
Total
Over 9 (-109)
Under 9 (-111)
Who wins this game?
Professional Picks
2 available
Professional Picks On This Game
Matt O'Brien
Total pick
Jonah Black
Total pick
Nationals vs. Cardinals Prediction: Mathews Gives St. Louis a Slight Edge
Analysis updated September 20, 2026 at 5:47 AM CDT
St. Louis is the low-confidence winner pick. Its -149 price asks more than the pitching comparison supports.
Mathews' ERA favors St. Louis
Quinn Mathews brings a 3.62 ERA into Sunday's expected matchup with Jake Irvin, whose ERA is 5.51. FOX Sports / Associated Press lists both as probable starters at Busch Stadium. That difference gives St. Louis a slight nod, but SPF's -149 moneyline requires a win rate of about 59.8% to break even.
Their baserunner rates are much closer: Mathews has a 1.39 WHIP against Irvin's 1.41. The lower ERA favors Mathews, but the similar rates of walks and hits allowed weaken the case for paying that price. Pass on the Cardinals moneyline.
Washington's streak doesn't settle the bet
Washington won Saturday's game 8-5 in 11 innings, its sixth win in seven games, according to the FOX Sports / Associated Press recap. St. Louis has lost four straight. Those results alone don't establish that Washington is worth backing at SPF's +123.
SPF lists Washington +1.5 and St. Louis -1.5, with a total of 9 priced at over -109 and under -111. Lineups and bullpen availability remain unconfirmed, limiting any estimate of scoring, especially after an 11-inning game. Pass on the run line and total.
Pick
St. Louis Cardinals
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass