8:05 pm
October 15

Cardinals @ Nationals

Who will WIN this matchup?

St. Louis Cardinals

@ Washington Nationals

 

Starting Pitchers:

Hudson (STL): 0-0; 1.93 ERA

Corbin (WSH) 0-2; 7.56 ERA

 

Current odds:

St. Louis Cardinals: (+155)

Washington Nationals: (-175)

 

•  The Washington Nationals look to complete a sweep of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Left-hander Patrick Corbin tries to deliver Washington’s fourth straight strong outing as the starters have yet to allow an earned run in 21 2/3 innings in the best-of-seven series. The Nationals rolled to an 8-1 triumph on Monday as 36-year-old Howie Kendrick had three doubles and three RBIs to continue a strong postseason in which he has driven in nine runs. “I think it shows baseball we can all still do it,” Kendrick said in a postgame television interview of a veteran like himself producing. “At a time when they push youth, the old guys can still do it.”

Most of the St. Louis lineup isn’t doing much of anything as the club has two runs and 11 hits in the series, with Jose Martinez (4-of-6) and Paul DeJong (3-for-9) combining for seven of the hits. “I can tell you this, and it’s appropriate for the area we’re at: There is no concession speech being written,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said during his postgame press conference. “This is a team that can absolutely win four games in a row, and clearly we have to start (Tuesday), and we’ve got to get after it, which we will, but anybody that’s seen this team, we’re obviously clearly in a tough spot.”

Hudson wasn’t involved in the decision in his lone postseason outing when he faced the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the NL Division Series. The 25-year-old, who beat the Nationals on Sept. 16 when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings, often has control issues and led the majors with 86 walks. “He has improved as the season has gone, especially against the lefties,” Shildt said. “You’ve got a very conscientious, talented guy that can figure things out, and experience usually lends itself to that for guys that have that ilk.”

Corbin is making his second start of the postseason and has thrown two pitches in this series – getting one out in relief in Game 2 – and said he is feeling fresh. “Been lucky to stay healthy this whole season and just kind of continue to do what you’ve done, be smart about things,” Corbin said in a press conference. “I think at this point in the season you’re not lifting as heavy as you would and maybe backing down on some running and things like that.” Corbin defeated St. Louis on Sept. 17 when he struck out 11 and gave up two unearned runs and five hits over six innings.

•  The Nationals pitchers recorded 16 strikeouts without a walk Monday and have combined to whiff 34 and walk three in the series.

•  St. Louis 1B Paul Goldschmidt fanned in all four at-bats in Game 3 and is 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in the series.

•  Washington CF Victor Robles went 2-for-4 with a homer Monday after missing the previous five games with a hamstring injury.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Washington Nationals