The Washington Nationals close out their road trip in St. Louis on Sunday, September 20, when right-hander Jake Irvin takes the ball against Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 2:15 PM ET. With the regular season winding down, every game carries roster-evaluation weight for a Nationals club still building toward contention — and a strong outing from Irvin would be a meaningful note to end the trip on.
Washington Nationals at St. Louis Cardinals: Sunday, September 20, 2026 Game Preview
Starting Pitching Matchup
Jake Irvin gets the nod for Washington. The right-hander has been one of the more reliable arms in the Nationals rotation this season, giving the club legitimate innings and a reason for optimism about the starting staff's direction. Sunday's start is an opportunity for Irvin to close out September on a strong note and reinforce his case as a building block heading into the offseason.
Opposing him is Quinn Mathews, a young arm the Cardinals have been developing at the big-league level. Mathews represents exactly the kind of pitcher Washington needs to take seriously — young starters with live stuff can be unpredictable, and the Nationals lineup will need to stay disciplined and work counts early to get a read on him.
Keys to Watch for the Nationals
- Irvin's command: Busch Stadium is a hitter-friendly environment when balls are left over the plate. Irvin's ability to work both sides and keep the Cardinals' lineup off balance will set the tone for the afternoon.
- Early-count discipline against Mathews: Young starters can be prone to command issues, especially late in the season. Washington's hitters should look to work deep into counts and force Mathews to throw strikes.
- Bullpen management: With the roster being evaluated heading into the offseason, how manager Dave Martinez deploys his relievers in a late-September road game will be worth monitoring.
- Run support: Irvin has done his part on the mound throughout the season. The lineup needs to provide early offense to take pressure off the pitching staff and avoid a low-scoring loss.
Broadcast Information
Nationals fans can catch Sunday's game on Nationals.TV. Local radio coverage is available on WJFK 106.7 The Fan. Spanish-language coverage airs on WIJR AM 880. Cardinals fans can tune in on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Washington. Irvin is a capable arm, and Mathews is still establishing himself at the big-league level. If the Nationals offense gives Irvin even modest run support, Washington has a legitimate shot to take this one. Look for Irvin to go six competitive innings, and for the Nationals to scratch out enough to earn a road win to close the trip. Nationals 4, Cardinals 2.
