St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals 7/31/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The St Louis Cardinals complete a three-game series on the road Sunday against the Washington Nationals. St Louis is 53-47 following its 6-2 victory over Washington on Friday in the opening game of the series. Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar hit consecutive home runs during the sixth inning for the Cardinals. St Louis is second in the National League Central, three games behind first-place Milwaukee.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is batting .334 with 24 home runs, 78 RBIs, 119 hits and an on-base percentage of .415 to lead St Louis in each category. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is second in home runs with 18 and second in RBIs with 59. On Sunday, the St Louis Cardinals will send Andre Pallante to the mound. The right-hander is 3-4 with a 3.53 ERA, 51 Ks and 26 BBs.

Following its four-run loss on Friday to St Louis, the Washington Nationals dropped to 34-67. Washington has lost two straight and 13 of the last 17.  Washington has the next to last team ERA in baseball at 5.13, and is allowing opposing hitters the average .267, which is also next to last. The Nationals are last in the National League Easter, 29 games behind the first-place New York Mets.

First baseman Josh Bell is batting .306 to lead Washington and has team highs in RBIs with 54 and hits with 111. Right fielder Juan Soto is the leader in home runs with 20 and in on-base percentage at .399. On Sunday, the Washington Nationals will send Paolo Espino to the mound. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA, 48 Ks and 12 BBs.