The Washington Nationals host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, May 9, 2025. First pitch from Nationals Park is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
Find my Cardinals vs Nationals prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends and more.
My Cardinals vs Nationals Prediction
- Cardinals vs Nationals picks: Mitchell Parker Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+120)
My Cardinals vs Nationals best bet is Mitchell Parker to record under 3.5 strikeouts. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Cardinals vs Nationals Odds
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -186 | 8.5 -114o / -106u | -105 |
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +155 | 8.5 -114o / -106u | -115 |
Cardinals vs Nationals Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Erick Fedde (STL) | Stat | LHP Mitchell Parker (WAS) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | W-L | 3-2 |
| 0.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.7 |
| 4.78 / 5.48 | ERA /xERA | 3.48 / 3.86 |
| 4.78 / 5.69 | FIP / xFIP | 4.07 / 5.46 |
| 1.46 | WHIP | 1.21 |
| 0% | K-BB% | 0.6% |
| 39.5% | GB% | 45.7% |
| 91 | Stuff+ | 91 |
| 106 | Location+ | 102 |
Charlie Wright’s Cardinals vs Nationals Preview & Prediction
Nationals Betting Preview: Mitchell Parker Prop Pick
Regression was always coming for Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker.
He was generating ground balls at a solid clip, but he wasn't getting any whiffs and the walks were too high.
Parker lucked his way to a 1.39 ERA through five starts before it came to a crashing halt. He's allowed 11 earned runs over his last nine innings (two starts). More concerning, he has a 1:9 K:BB ratio over those starts.
Parker's 12% K% is dead last among qualified starters. He has the sixth-worst CSW%.
Parker's only pitch with a whiff rate above 30% is his slider, which he only throws to lefties — he's thrown five sliders all season to righties. He unsurprisingly has a 10% K% to righties compared to a 16.4% mark against lefties.
The Cardinals have been decent against left-handed pitching. They rank 18th in K% and they're 12th in OPS, wOBA and wRC+.
The main problems for Parker are the righties and the plate discipline in this lineup. St. Louis' projected group includes seven right-handed bats.
The Cardinals have the third-highest BB% vs. left-handed pitchers in the league. It's a rough combination given Parker's flaws.
Pick: Mitchell Parker Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+120; bet365)
Moneyline
I have no bet on the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I'm passing on the run line.
Over/Under
I have no bet for the game total either.
