MLB odds: Cardinals-Nationals prediction, odds and pick

St. Louis Cardinals are the second-place team in the NL Central. They are playing a three-game set against the Washington Nationals. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are back in their line-up. Miles Mikolas will start for the Cardinals. Anibal Sanchez will be starting for Washington.

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are finally eligible to play in the team's return to the U.S. from Canada. The Cardinals are halfway through their ten-game road trip with a 2-3 overall record. They have the seventh-best on-base percentage with .321 and are ranked within the top-ten in batting average at .251. Their starting pitchers have a combined 3.87 ERA and have made 34 quality starts. Albert Pujols has a good record against Anibal Sanchez.

The Nationals are 34-66 and in rebuild mode. They beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Wednesday. The team has a poor home record. Their bullpen has been good recently. The Cardinals are a good team with a 15-36 home league record and a 2.70 ERA. If the game goes to extra innings, the Nationals may have the advantage.

The Cardinals are going to beat the Nationals. The Nationals are not talented enough to cover the spread. It will be a boost for the Cardinals to have their two best players back in the lineup.