Free MLB Picks Today: Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals 6/19/23

The Washington Nationals (27-43), one of the weakest lineups in the NL, are set to host the St. Louis Cardinals (29-43) at Nationals Park on Monday for the opener of a three-game series. The Cardinals are in the midst of a six-game road trip.

They won two out of three in their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 8-7 on Sunday at Citi Field. Nolan Arenado was 2 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs.

Jordan Walker added a solo home run. The Nationals are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Marlins, dropping the finale 4-2 on Sunday at Nationals Park.

Lane Thomas went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Cardinals won four of the seven games between the teams, although they split their most recent four-game series at Busch Stadium in September.

ON THE MOUND

Jack Flaherty (3-5, 4.64 ERA) is slated for the start for St. Louis. The right-hander allowed six runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, an 11-3 road defeat against the Giants on Tuesday. He took the loss, giving up 10 hits while striking out three and walking three.

Flaherty made one start against the Nationals in 2022, a 6-0 home loss on September 5. He surrendered one run on six hits over five innings, striking out six and walking one.

Right-hander Josiah Gray (4-5, 3.19 ERA) gets the ball for Washington. Gray made two appearances against the Cardinals in 2022, both as the starter, striking out nine and walking five over 8.1 innings (0-1, 8.64).

In his last start on Wednesday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out five, in the 5-4 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The St. Louis offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .248/.322/.419. Paul Goldschmidt leads the team in OPS at .873. The first baseman is slashing .287/.381/.493 with 12 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 45 runs over 70 games.

Against righties like Gray this season, the Cards have a .746 OPS. Goldschmidt also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .915 OPS in 201 at-bats.

Washington is slashing .261/.320/.388 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game, the third lowest in the National League. Thomas leads the team with a .816 OPS.

The center fielder has 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 47 runs scored with a slash line of .287/.338/.478. The Nats have a .680 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .849 OPS over 171 at-bats, Jeimer Candelario has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is 16-22 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Washington has lost seven in a row at Nationals Park.

The Nats are 12-24 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 meetings at Nationals Park, Washington is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring St. Louis (4.2-3.6).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 17 games behind the Braves.