Nationals at St Cardinals 10/11/19 - MLB Playoffs Picks & Predictions

The National League Championship Series will get underway on Friday night, when the Washington Nationals travel to Busch Stadium to take on the St. Louis Cardinals. On Wednesday, Howie Kendrick delivered a grand slam to lead Washington to a 7-3 series clinching victory at Los Angeles. Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game in the eighth inning for the Nationals. 

Thirty-five year old righty Anibal Sanchez (11-8 3.85 ERA) will take the mound for the Nationals in the series opener. Last time out, Sanchez allowed four hits and one run across five frames during a 10-4 home loss versus Los Angeles.

The St. Louis Cardinals won 50 of their 81 home games during the regular season and have homefield advantage in this best-of-seven series. On Wednesday, St. Louis exploded for ten runs in the first inning and cruised to a 13-1 road victory against Atlanta. SP Jack Flaherty struck out eight batters in six innings to earn the win for the Cardinals. 

St. Louis manager Mike Shildt has yet to name a starting pitcher for Game One. The Cardinals ranked fifth in the majors during the regular season with a 3.80 team ERA and logged 76 quality starts.