Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals 9/6/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals play the second game of a four-game series on the road against the St Louis Cardinals. Washington is 47-87 following its 7-1 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday. Cesar Hernandez homered for the first time in over a year and the Nationals won two of three against the first place Mets. Washington is last in the National League East, 37 ½ games behind the National League East leading Mets.

Catcher Keibert Ruiz is batting .250 to lead Washington, while left fielder Lane Thomas is the leader in home runs with 15 and second baseman Cesar Hernandez is the leader in hits with 122. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz is the leader in RBIs with 64 and on-base percentage at .315. On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals will send Paolo Espino to the mound. The right-hander is 0-6 with a 4.22 ERA, 75 Ks and 19 BBs.

St. Louis improved to 79-55 following its 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Albert Pujols hit a pinch-hit home run for the Cardinals. St Louis swept Chicago in its three-game series and the Cardinals have won four straight. St. Louis is first in the National League Central, 8 ½ games ahead of the second place Milwaukee Brewers.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is batting .331 with 34 home runs, 107 RBIs, 158 hits and an on-base percentage of .417 to lead St Louis in each category. Third baseman Nolan Arenado has 29 home runs and 89 RBIs, which are both second. On Tuesday, the St Louis Cardinals will send Jose Quintana to the mound. The left-hander is 4-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 109 Ks and 43 BBs.