In the upcoming three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals, both teams are currently in last place in their respective divisions. However, the Cardinals are feeling slightly better after winning two out of three games against the New York Mets, while the Nationals were swept by the Miami Marlins.
Nolan Arenado played a crucial role in the Cardinals’ victory over the Mets, hitting a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo homer in the ninth, which broke a tie and secured the 8-7 win for St. Louis. Despite losing leads during the game, the Cardinals managed to pull ahead late and take the series.
The Nationals, on the other hand, have been struggling. After a win on May 27 against the Kansas City Royals, they have lost 14 of their last 18 games. Outfielder Lane Thomas has been performing well recently, going 9-for-25 (.360) in his last six games and hitting all 11 of his home runs since May 1. However, the Nationals have been unable to capitalize on close games against the Marlins, with either shaky relief pitching or a lack of clutch hitting preventing them from securing a win.
The pitching matchup for Monday’s game will feature Jack Flaherty, a right-handed pitcher for the Cardinals with a 3-5 record and a 4.64 ERA, against Josiah Gray, a right-handed pitcher for the Nationals with a 4-5 record and a 3.19 ERA. Flaherty recently had a strong run of three starts where he gave up only two runs in 18 1/3 innings. However, in his last outing, he struggled, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Francisco Giants. Flaherty has had success against the Nationals in the past, with a 2-1 record and a 2.14 ERA in four career starts against them.
Gray’s ERA has risen from 2.65 to 3.19 over his last four starts. In his most recent game against the Houston Astros, he gave up four runs on six hits in seven innings but did not receive a decision. Gray has been working on adding a new pitch to his repertoire, the sweeper, and had some success with it in his last outing, throwing 26 of them, with 18 strikes. However, Gray has struggled against the Cardinals in his career, with an 0-1 record and an 8.64 ERA in two starts against them.
Both teams will be looking to improve their standings and start gaining some momentum, but it remains to be seen which team will come out on top in this series.
