The Washington Nationals wrap up their road trip in St. Louis on Saturday, September 19, when they take on the Cardinals at Busch Stadium for a 7:15 PM ET first pitch. Andrew Alvarez gets the ball for Washington against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. With the regular season winding down and every game carrying added weight for player development and organizational evaluation, this is a matchup worth watching — particularly for what Alvarez shows in a late-season start on the road.
Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals: Starting Pitchers
Andrew Alvarez draws the start for the Nationals. The left-hander has been part of Washington's rotation as the club continues to build its pitching depth heading into the offseason. How he handles a Cardinals lineup at home is the central question for this game — road starts in September are a genuine test of a young pitcher's composure and stuff.
Michael McGreevy takes the hill for St. Louis. The Cardinals have leaned on McGreevy as part of their rotation down the stretch, and he'll be pitching in front of a home crowd that still has expectations regardless of where St. Louis sits in the standings. McGreevy will look to keep Washington's hitters off-balance with his repertoire in a familiar environment.
Keys to Watch for the Nationals
- Alvarez's command: Controlling the strike zone against a disciplined Cardinals lineup is going to define his outing. If he can limit walks and work efficiently through the middle innings, Washington has a chance to keep this game close.
- Offensive approach against McGreevy: Washington's hitters will need to grind at-bats and look for pitches they can drive. A patient approach early in counts can pay dividends against a starter finding his rhythm.
- Bullpen management: Late-September roster rules mean the Nationals have arms available, but using them wisely in a game that may be out of reach early — or unexpectedly competitive — will matter for how the series shapes up.
- Base running and small ball: On the road, manufacturing runs can be the difference. Washington will need to be sharp on the bases and capitalize on any Cardinals defensive lapses.
Broadcast Information
Saturday's game is available on Nationals.TV and Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365. Radio listeners in Washington can catch the action on WJFK 106.7 The Fan, with Spanish-language coverage on WIJR AM 880. Cardinals fans can tune in locally on KMOX 1120 AM and 104.1 FM.
Prediction
This figures to be a tight, low-scoring affair. Both Alvarez and McGreevy are capable of keeping lineups in check when they're locating well, and September road games often turn on a single defensive miscue or a clutch two-out hit. The Cardinals hold the home-field edge and will be motivated in front of their own fans. Give St. Louis a slight advantage here, but don't be surprised if Alvarez delivers a quality start and keeps the Nationals in it deep into the night. Projected final: Cardinals 4, Nationals 2.
