Free MLB Picks Today: Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals 6/20/23

Hot-hitting Jordan Walker will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the St. Louis Cardinals (30-43) match up against the Washington Nationals (27-44) at Nationals Park on Tuesday.

The Cardinals took Monday’s series opener 8-6. Jack Flaherty went 6.1 innings for the win, giving up six runs on 10 hits, and Jordan Hicks picked up his third save with a scoreless ninth.

Tommy Edman was 2 for 2 with a triple, three runs, and one RBI, walking twice, in the win. Lane Thomas went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs for the Nationals. CJ Abrams added two runs on two hits.

ON THE MOUND

Jordan Montgomery (3-7, 3.91 ERA) is set to get the start for St. Louis. The lefty allowed three runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, an 8-5 road defeat against the Giants on Wednesday. He gave up seven hits while striking out seven and walking two in the no-decision.

Montgomery is making his first appearance against the Nationals this season. Montgomery made one start against the Nationals in 2022, a 6-5 home victory on September 7.

He surrendered one run on three hits over 6.2 innings, striking out six and walking two. LHP MacKenzie Gore (3-5, 3.74 ERA) gets the ball for Washington. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals.

In his last start on Thursday, Gore took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw 5.2 scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out four and walking three in the 4-1 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 5.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.6. Against lefties like Gore this season, the Cards have a .722 OPS.

Edman is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .882 OPS in 66 at-bats. Washington is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season.

The Nats have a .762 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.064 OPS over 90 at-bats, Thomas has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

St. Louis is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 17-22 in 2023. The Cards have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.4 runs. Washington has lost eight in a row at home.

The Nats are 12-25 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. Washington is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Nationals Park despite an average scoreline favoring St. Louis (4.5-4.1).

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, 18 games behind the Braves.