<p>
This is Game 1 of the NLCS.
</p>
<p>
In closing out the NLDS in their last game, the Nationals beat the two-time reigning NL champion L.A. Dodgers 7-3 in 10 innings. The Nats scored seven runs on nine hits, and the Dodgers scored three runs on seven hits. Howie Kendrick played the hero for Washington hitting a grand slam in the 10th inning.
</p>
<p>
The Cardinals closed out the NLDS beating the Braves 13-1 in their last game. The Cardinals scored 13 runs on 11 hits, and the Braves were held to one run on six hits. St. Louis broke an NLDS record scoring ten runs in the first inning.
</p>
<p>
Both teams closed out the NLDS in five games, and each has won two in a row.
</p>
<p>
This season the Nationals rank 6th in runs scored and 13th in team ERA, and the Cardinals rank 19th in runs scored and 5th in team ERA.
</p>
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<h2>
Pitching Match-Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
<b>Washington:</b> Anibal Sanchez (11-8 3.85 ERA) <b>St. Louis:</b> Miles Mikolas (9-14 4.16 ERA)
</p>
<p>
Sanchez started Game 3 of the NLDS, giving up one earned run on four hits in five innings, but the bullpen fell apart in a 10-4 Washington loss. The Nationals won his last three starts of the regular season, where he gave up five earned runs in 19 innings. Sanchez's lone start against the Cardinals was early in the season in late April at home, where he gave up three earned runs in five innings in a 3-2 Washington loss. In nine career playoff appearances, including eight starts, he is 2-5 with an ERA of 2.98. The Nationals have won five of Sanchez's last six road starts. He has allowed one HR in each of his previous three starts.
</p>
<p>
Mikolas' last appearance was in Game 4 of the NLDS, where he picked up the win pitching a perfect inning of relief in the 5-4 win over the Braves. He started Game 1 of the series giving up one earned run on three hits in five innings in the 7-6 St. Louis win. The Cardinals have won his last two starts where he only gave up one run in each in lasting 12 2/3 innings. Mikolas faced the Nationals twice this season with the Cardinals going 1-1. They won in his start on May 1st on the road giving up one earned run in six innings and lost his last start facing them, which was in St. Louis in his 2nd to last start of the regular season giving up three earned runs in six innings. Overall, the Cardinals are 6-2 in Mikolas' last eight starts, and they are 16-7 in his last 23 home starts. However, they have lost four of his previous five home starts facing a team with a winning record.
</p>
<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
The Cardinals are 7-2 in their last nine games against the Nationals.
</li>
<li>
The Cardinals are 37-15 in their last 52 home starts against the Nationals.
</li>
<li>
In the last six games between these teams,, the Under record is 5-0-1.
</li>
<li>
In the last five games between these teams in St. Louis, the Under record is 3-0-2.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
</h2>
<p>
<b>Washington Nationals:</b> 97-71 SU / O/U 77-80 / Run Line W/L 94-74 <b>St. Louis Cardinals:</b> 94-73 SU / O/U 72-87 / Run Line W/L 90-77
</p>
<h2>
Key Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
WASH is 11-2 in their last 13 games against a team with a winning record
</li>
<li>
WASH is 8-1 in their previous nine games against a right-hand starter
</li>
<li>
WASH has an Under record of 4-1 in their past five playoff road games
</li>
<li>
STL is 21-9 in their last 30 home games
</li>
<li>
STL is 16-6 in their previous 22 home games against a right-hand starter
</li>
<li>
STL has an Over record of 4-1 in their past five home games
</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Team Info<br />
</h3>
<p>
The Nationals won the last two games of the NLDS outscoring the Dodgers 13-4.
</p>
<p>
This series will be the first NLCS for the Nationals since 1981 when they were the Montreal Expos.
</p>
<p>
Washington’s Anthony Rendon is hitting .350 in the playoffs and in the Game 5 win over the Braves he was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a HR.
</p>
<p>
The Cardinals outscored the Braves 18-5 in winning the last two games of the NLDS.
</p>
<p>
St. Louis’ Marcell Ozuna led the team with five RBI in the NLDS, and he and Paul Goldschmidt hit .429 in the series.
</p>
<p>
On the season, the Nationals are 45-39 on the road, and the Cardinals are 51-32 at home.
</p>
<p>
In the series in Washington in the first half, the Cardinals won three of four games, and in the series in St. Louis in the 2nd half, they took two of three games from the Nationals.
</p>
<h3>
Key Injuries<br />
</h3>
<p>
<b>NATIONALS </b>
</p>
<p>
C Kurt Suzuki is probable for this game, Victor Robles is questionable, and RP Roenis Elias is out indefinitely.
</p>
<p>
<b>CARDINALS </b>
</p>
<p>
SP Michael Wacha is out indefinitely, and RP Brett Cecil is out until mid-October.
</p>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1210657">Nationals at Cardinals MLB Match-up Stats</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
<p></section></p>