Cardinals vs. Nationals Picks and Predictions April 7,2026
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The St. Louis Cardinals travel to face the Washington Nationals in a National League matchup. Get in on all the action with our free MLB picks.
Cardinals Looking for Stability Behind Liberatore
St. Louis turns to Matthew Liberatore, who continues to develop into a reliable rotation piece. Through his first starts of the 2026 season, Liberatore has posted an ERA in the mid-1.00s while striking out roughly a batter per inning. His improved command has been a key factor, with a walk rate trending below 3.0 BB/9 early on.
Liberatore relies on a mix of fastball command and off-speed pitches to generate weak contact rather than overpower hitters. When he is locating effectively, he has shown the ability to work into the middle innings while limiting damage.
Offensively, the Cardinals are led by Jordan Walker, who continues to produce at a high level with a batting average around .314 and an OPS north of 1.000 to start the season. Nolan Gorman provides power in the middle of the lineup, already contributing multiple home runs and extra-base hits.
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Strengths
- Solid early form from Liberatore
- Power presence
- Ability to generate extra-base hits
Weaknesses
- Can be streaky offensively
- Limited speed and small-ball production
- Reliant on middle-of-the-order output
Nationals Counting on Cavalli’s Development
Washington sends Cade Cavalli to the mound, continuing his return and development as a key part of the rotation. Early in the 2026 season, Cavalli has shown strikeout potential, posting a K/9 rate above 9.0, but has also dealt with inconsistency, reflected in an ERA hovering around the 4.00 range.
Cavalli’s arsenal allows him to generate swings and misses, but command has been an issue at times, with a career walk rate near 3.5 BB/9. Against a disciplined Cardinals lineup, controlling the strike zone will be critical.
Offensively, the Nationals are led by CJ Abrams, who has started the season strong with a batting average around .280 while providing speed on the bases.
Keibert Ruiz has provided stability behind the plate throughout his career, but has yet to get things going this year, hitting just above .200.
Washington has struggled to produce consistently across the lineup, often relying on individual performances rather than sustained offensive pressure.
Strengths
- Strikeout upside from Cavalli
- Speed and contact from Abrams
- Power potential
- Young core gaining experience
Weaknesses
- Command inconsistency from Cavalli
- Lack of lineup depth
- Inconsistent run production
- Bullpen reliability concerns
Cardinals vs. Nationals Picks
Cardinals Moneyline
St. Louis holds the edge in lineup depth and overall offensive consistency. While both starting pitchers have similar strikeout profiles, Liberatore’s early command advantage gives him a more stable outlook in this matchup.
If the Cardinals’ middle of the order produces as expected, they should be able to generate enough offense to secure the win.
Total Pick: Over 7.5 Runs
Both starting pitchers have shown the ability to miss bats, but also carry inconsistencies, particularly in command.
Cavalli’s tendency to allow walks, combined with the Cardinals’ power, creates scoring potential. On the other side, Washington should be able to capitalize on opportunities if Liberatore allows contact in key situations.
This sets up for a game where both teams contribute offensively.
Projected Final Score
Cardinals 5 Nationals 4
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