Overview

• The St. Louis Cardinals (19-19) have rebounded from a poor start to the season with five consecutive wins, tying them for second in the NL Central.
• The Washington Nationals (17-21) come into the series after a tough stretch, including a bullpen collapse that allowed 26 runs in their last three games against Cleveland.
• Erick Fedde, a former Nationals pitcher, will start for St. Louis, carrying a 2-3 record and 4.78 ERA this season.
• Mitchell Parker will take the mound for Washington, boasting a 3-2 record and a 3.48 ERA, but has struggled in his last two outings.
• The Nationals are slight favorites in betting markets (-115), with the over/under set at 8½ runs for the series opener in Washington.