The Washington Nationals are set to face the St. Louis Cardinals starting Monday evening at Nationals Park. This marks the Nationals’ first game of the series after a challenging home opening against the Los Angeles Dodgers, resulting in five consecutive losses.
Nationals Set Rotation for Series Against Cardinals
Blake Butera, the Nationals’ manager, is looking for a strong comeback as the team takes the field. Zack Littell is scheduled to pitch in the opening game, making his second start as a National.
Pitching Matchups
- Zack Littell: In his debut, Littell allowed three earned runs on six hits over five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Andre Pallante: The Cardinals’ pitcher, Pallante, did not allow any earned runs in his season debut.
In the second game, Cade Cavalli will take the mound for the Nationals. Cavalli is looking to secure his first win of the season after a promising start on Opening Day.
- Cade Cavalli: He is coming off a performance where he struck out five batters and allowed two earned runs in 3.2 innings during the season opener.
- Matthew Liberatore: The Cardinals will counter with Liberatore, who is also making his second appearance of the season.
Finally, Miles Mikolas is expected to pitch in the series finale. Mikolas has struggled this season, posting an ERA of 14.46 and allowing 15 earned runs across 9.1 innings. His recent performances have raised concerns, especially after a tough outing against the Dodgers.
Recent Performance of Both Teams
The Cardinals enter this series aiming to maintain their winning momentum. They started the 2026 season strong, winning five of their first six games against the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets. They ended a mini-slump with a victory against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
Last season, the teams met twice, with the Cardinals winning five out of six games in that matchup. This year, both teams hope to capitalize on their respective strengths and turn their fortunes around in this upcoming series.
As the Nationals look to break their losing streak, they remain hopeful for a turnaround against a competent Cardinals lineup. The series promises to be competitive, with both sides showcasing talented pitchers. Fans can expect an exciting matchup at Nationals Park.
