Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals 9/5/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Washington Nationals play the first game of a four-game series on the road Monday versus the St Louis Cardinals. Washington is 46-87 following its 7-1 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday. Washington has won three of the last four, but the Nationals are mired in last place in the National League East, 38 ½ games behind the first-place New York Mets.

Catcher Keibert Ruiz is batting .245 to lead Washington, while left fielder Lane Thomas is the leader in home runs with 15. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz is the leader in RBIs with 64 and on base percentage at .315, while second baseman Cesar Hernandez is the leader in hits with 121. On Monday, the Washington Capitals will send Anibal Sanchez to the mound. The right-hander is 1-5 with a 5.05 ERA, 32 Ks and 21 BBs.

St. Louis improved to 78-55 following its 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Paul Goldschmidt homered in the victory for the Cardinals. St Louis has won three straight and six of the last seven. St Louis could sweep its three-game series against Chicago, with a victory on Sunday. The Cardinals are first in the National League Central, 7 ½ games ahead of the second-place Milwaukee Brewers.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is batting .331 with 34 home runs, 107 RBIs, 157 hits and an on-base percentage of .418 to lead St. Louis in each category. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is second in both home runs with 28 and RBIs with 89. On Monday, the St Louis Cardinals will send Jack Flaherty to the mound. The right-hander is 0-0 with a 5.63 ERA, 6 Ks and 2 BBs.