We’re checking into Busch Stadium at 2:15 PM EDT for a tilt between the Nationals and the Cardinals, a matchup that feels less like a clash of titans and more like two people arguing over who gets to keep the last stale donut. Washington rolls into St. Louis with a 4.69 team ERA that suggests their pitchers are mostly throwing batting practice, while the Cardinals are busy nursing a .242 team batting average that’s about as exciting as watching paint dry in a humidity-controlled room. If you’re a glutton for punishment, you can catch the carnage on MLB.TV, Cardinals.TV, or Nationals.TV.
The books have St. Louis as a -149 favorite, which is a bold vote of confidence for a team that has spent the year perfecting the art of the underwhelming record. Quinn Mathews takes the hill with a 3.62 ERA, looking to out-duel Jake Irvin, whose 5.51 ERA is the kind of number that makes a manager reach for the heavy-duty antacids. Washington is dealing with a roster thinner than a budget airline sandwich thanks to guys like Orlando Ribalta and DJ Herz hitting the IL, so don't expect any miracles from the back end of that dugout. Head over to StreakChat to lock in your pick and see if you’re actually brave enough to trust these bullpens with a 9.0 total.