The St. Louis Cardinals host the Washington Nationals on September 18, 2026. First pitch from Busch Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on NATS.
The Nationals are -104 on the moneyline and -1.5 on the run line. The Cardinals are -112 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 7.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Nationals vs Cardinals prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Nationals vs Cardinals Prediction
- Nationals vs Cardinals Pick: Nationals ML (-104)
My Nationals vs Cardinals best bet is on Washington to win outright. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page and download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Nationals vs Cardinals Odds
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +164 | 7.5 -120o / -102u | -104 |
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -200 | 7.5 -120o / -102u | -112 |
- Nationals vs Cardinals moneyline: Nationals -104, Cardinals -112
- Nationals vs Cardinals over/under: 7.5 (-120o / -102u)
- Nationals vs Cardinals spread: Nationals -1.5 (+164), Cardinals +1.5 (-200)
Nationals vs Cardinals Probable Pitchers
| Cade Cavalli (RHP, WSN) | Stat | Kyle Leahy (RHP, STL) |
|---|---|---|
| 12-5 | W-L | 10-4 |
| 3.7 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 2.6 |
| 3.12/3.72 | ERA / xERA | 3.33/4.78 |
| 3.33/3.15 | FIP / xFIP | 3.50/3.61 |
| 21.3% | K-BB% | 15.8% |
| 50.0% | GB% | 44.7% |
| .307 | BABIP | .325 |
| 102 | Stuff+ | 93 |
| 99 | Location+ | 106 |
Nationals vs Cardinals MLB Betting Preview, Expert Pick
Cade Cavalli is having a spectacular breakout season. His 3.12 ERA and peripheral stats this year are excellent, but his stretch since striking out 13 batters in Boston on June 30 may have elevated him to a top-tier starter.
Cavalli since June 30: 81 1/3 IP, 2.21 ERA, 2.80 xERA, 3.13 FIP, 2.38 xFIP, 54.9% GB, 27.5% K-BB
These are numbers a fantasy baseball player would desire from a first-round pick at SP. The Nationals have developed their former first-round pick into a star, and he continues to shine. Cavalli is not only posting elite rate stats, but he is pitching deep into games. Eighteen of Cavalli's 31 starts have gone at least six innings. 12 of these 18 have come since his June 30 domination.
Meanwhile, opposing starter Kyle Leahy is having a breakout of his own since mid-June.
Leahy since June 18: 71 IP, 2.15 ERA, 3.21 xERA, 2.46 FIP, 2.93 xFIP, 46.8% GB, 22.6% K-BB
These numbers are roughly on par with Cavalli. However, Leahy has not thrown five innings in a game since August 18, with his last six-inning start coming on July 31. The 29-year-old SP only threw 88 IP last season and is up to 135 in 2026. St. Louis is limiting Leahy's innings after losing ground in the NL playoff race.
Washington's offense (100 wRC+) is better than the Cardinals' this season (94 wRC+) against RHP, and their bullpens have been similar over the past two weeks. Furthermore, the Cardinals' overall offensive advantage in the past month has dwindled in the past two weeks.
The Nationals' pitching advantage, with Cavalli possibly doubling Leahy's innings for the day, puts them ahead.
Pick: Nationals ML (-104)
