Overview
- Miles Mikolas (4–6, 5.26 ERA) will oppose Mike Soroka (3–6, 5.40 ERA) in Thursday’s series-deciding game at Busch Stadium.
- The Cardinals have lost six of their past eight games, conceding 51 runs while scoring just 17.
- Under interim manager Miguel Cairo, Washington is 1–1 since his appointment and continues to prioritize player development during its rebuild.
- St. Louis holds a 4–1 edge in the season series and views the finale as a chance to secure a sweep before the midseason pause.
- The Cardinals sit third in the NL Central at 49–44 while the Nationals are 38–54 and fifth in the NL East.