Cardinals-Nationals Lines Preview

The Washington Nationals will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. The Cardinals will give the ball to ace starter Adam Wainwright in this one. Righthander Wainwright is 10-6 this season with a 3.01 ERA. It'll be Collin Balester toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. Righthander Balester is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Cardinals were defeated 4-3 by the Astros last time out, as -115 favorites. That game's seven runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (7). Mark DeRosa homered, while Ryan Franklin blew a save opportunity and allowed two runs in the loss. Craig Stammen combined on a four-hitter as the Nationals defeated the Mets 3-1 in Wednesday's series finale. The Nationals won the game as a -115 favorites, and the team's played UNDER the night's posted over/under (9). Josh Willingham went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer, and Mike MacDougal tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save. Current streak: St. Louis has lost 3 straight games. Washington has won 2 straight games. Team records: St. Louis: 51-46 SU Washington: 28-66 SU St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a loss are 5-5 Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing San Diego are 3-7 After playing NY Mets are 4-6 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington The total has gone UNDER in 17 of St. Louis's last 23 games when playing on the road against Washington The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing Washington The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Washington's last 23 games when playing at home against St. Louis The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing St. Louis Next up: St. Louis at Philadelphia, Friday, July 24 Washington home to San Diego, Friday, July 24