This series got underway on Monday afternoon, with the hosting Washington Nationals (27-44) racing out to a 5-0 lead. Unfazed by the D.C. deficit, the St. Louis Cardinals (30-43) stormed back with eight unanswered runs. It was enough for the visitors to secure an 8-6 win. Game two of this three-game set is scheduled for 7:05 pm. EDT on Tuesday. Once again, these two struggling National League franchises will duke it out in Nationals Park.
Lucky number 13 for the MVP! pic.twitter.com/SF2TxW0CTe
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 19, 2023
With three straight wins, this Cardinals team may be on their way to another hot stretch as they had in May. Once again, the offense is the catalyst, as the team has scored at least five runs in four of the past five games. That includes consecutive eight-run outbursts to overcome poor pitching performances. St. Louis is 11th in runs per game, thanks to MLB's ninth-best slugging percentage. The Cardinals have the sixth-most homers, eighth-best walk rate, and 10th-best strikeout rate. Based solely on offensive output, St. Louis should probably have a much better record.
Things have been brutal on the mound, despite the Cardinals excelling at keeping the ball in the park. This is a staff that simply gives up hits. Jordan Montgomery gets the assignment for this game, looking to stabilize St. Louis' mound presence. The problem is that the Cardinals have lost 11 of Montgomery's last 12 starts. In seasons when J ordan Montgomery has tossed at least 50.0 innings, his H/9, line drive rate, and BABIP have never been worse. He's not an awful pitcher, but his WPA is negative and the lowest of his career so far. St. Louis' relievers have a great FIP but also struggle with giving up hits this season.