Nationals vs Cardinals: Will Arenado Return and Can Irvin Silence St. Louis Bats?

The Washington Nationals aim to halt their three-game skid as they face the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, with Jake Irvin (7-3, 4.71 ERA) taking the mound against Sonny Gray (8-3, 3.51 ERA). All eyes are on Nolan Arenado’s potential return after missing games due to shoulder and finger injuries. The Cardinals, riding a 12-4 hot streak, look to capitalize on their home-field advantage against the struggling Nationals.

Washington’s offense, ranked 10th in the NL with 87 homers, faces an uphill battle against St. Louis’ pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ lineup, buoyed by recent power surges, seeks to extend their series dominance after Monday’s shutout victory. This pivotal matchup could hinge on Arenado’s availability and Irvin’s ability to contain St. Louis’ bats.

Will Nolan Arenado Return Against the Nationals After Missing Games?

The St. Louis Cardinals are anxiously awaiting news on Nolan Arenado’s availability as they face the Washington Nationals. Arenado has been dealing with multiple injuries, including a bruised right index finger and a right shoulder impingement, causing him to miss several games recently. His absence has been felt in the Cardinals’ lineup, especially during their slump last week.

According to recent reports, the Cardinals are “hopeful” Arenado will return for Tuesday’s game. His defensive prowess at third base and power bat would provide a much-needed boost against Washington. The Nationals, currently on a three-game losing streak, will likely face Cardinals’ ace Sonny Gray, making Arenado’s presence even more critical.

The Cardinals have struggled offensively when Arenado isn’t in the lineup, particularly against left-handed pitching. Washington might start left-handed pitchers in this series, making Arenado’s potential return even more significant.

[h3]How Arenado’s Absence Affects the Cardinals[/h3]

Without Arenado, the Cardinals have seen their run production decrease by nearly 20%. His leadership and clutch hitting have been sorely missed during late-game situations.

“The Cardinals simply aren’t the same team without Arenado’s presence in the middle of the order. His defense alone saves multiple runs per series.” “But is rushing him back from multiple injuries really the best move? The Cardinals need him healthy for the playoff push.”

Can Jake Irvin Silence the Cardinals’ Bats?

Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin (7-3, 4.71 ERA) faces the challenging task of slowing down St. Louis’ lineup. While Irvin has been solid this season, the Cardinals present a unique challenge with their power-hitting lineup.

The Cardinals rank eighth in the NL with 91 home runs this season, averaging exactly 1 per game. They’ve been particularly effective against right-handed pitching like Irvin, with Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan having strong performances against similar pitchers.

Irvin’s key to success will be keeping the ball in the park, as the Cardinals have made a habit of turning close games into blowouts with late inning power surges. In their recent series finale against the Nationals, St. Louis turned a 2-0 lead into a 6-0 victory with four runs in the final two innings.

How Brendan Donovan’s All-Star Selection Impacts This Series

Brendan Donovan’s recent All-Star selection adds another layer of intrigue to this Nationals-Cardinals matchup. The versatile infielder was elected by his peers as the NL’s backup second baseman, marking his first All-Star appearance.

Donovan brings a consistent bat and defensive flexibility to the Cardinals lineup. Against Nationals pitching, his ability to get on base (.365 OBP) could prove crucial in generating scoring opportunities.

“Donovan might be the most underrated player in this series. His All-Star selection was well-deserved and he could be the difference-maker.” “I think the Nationals pitchers will challenge him with high fastballs. He’s been vulnerable to that pitch this season.”

Cardinals’ Hot Streak vs Nationals’ Struggles

The Cardinals enter this series having won 12 of their last 17 games, while the Nationals are mired in a three-game losing streak. St. Louis has been particularly strong on the road recently, which could spell trouble for Washington.

The pitching matchup favors St. Louis, with Sonny Gray (8-3, 3.51 ERA) likely starting against Washington’s Jake Irvin. Gray has been dominant recently, with 107 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched.

Washington’s offense has struggled to produce against quality pitching, averaging just 3.8 runs per game over their last 10 contests. Without significant offensive improvement, they could have difficulty against Gray and the Cardinals’ bullpen.

Will the Cardinals Continue Their Series Win Streak?

The Cardinals haven’t lost a series since mid-June, and they’ll be looking to continue that streak against the struggling Nationals. St. Louis has shown an ability to win close games and blowouts alike during this hot stretch.

Key factors in this series include:

• The Cardinals’ power hitting against Nationals pitching
• Washington’s ability to contain St. Louis’ late-game surges
• The potential return of Nolan Arenado
• The effectiveness of both teams’ bullpens in close games

“The Cardinals are playing with confidence right now. That intangible factor makes them dangerous in any series.” “I think the Nationals might surprise people. They’ve played better than their record suggests recently.”

What’s the Best Bet for Nationals vs Cardinals?

With the Cardinals favored (-192) and the over/under set at 8.5 runs, there are several betting angles to consider for this matchup:

Bet Type	Odds	Value
Cardinals ML	-192	High
Under 8.5	-110	Medium
Arenado to Hit HR	+400	If he plays

The pitching matchup suggests this could be a lower-scoring affair, but the Cardinals’ recent offensive outbursts make the over tempting. St. Louis’ ability to add on runs late makes them a safer bet than the run line.