Washington Nationals (1-5) @ St. Louis Cardinals (5-4)

RHP Erick Fedde (0–1, 27.00 ERA) | RHP John Gant (0–0, 0.00 ERA)

Monday, April 12, 2021 | 7:45 pm EDT | Game #7 | Road Game #4

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

TV: MASN 2

Radio: 106.7 the Fan

Sirius XM Radio:89

Washington Nationals Game Story Line

Coming off a sweep over the weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Washington Nationals look to break their current losing streak as they kick off a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. This afternoon the Nationals announced that they had activated Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Harrison off the IL.

The Nationals and Cardinals will play six times in the next ten days. The Cardinals will travel to D.C. next Monday-Wednesday as a part of the next homestand.

Today’s GameNotes

Pitching Matchup

Today's pitching matchup is the complete opposite of Sunday's matchup. Instead of two future, Hall-Of-Fame pitchers, we are getting two pitchers that barely have a rotation spot. Erick Fedde will be making his second appearance of the season after surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks in only 1 ⅔ innings against the Atlanta Braves last Wednesday. This is a crucial start for Fedde, who will be returned to the bullpen or potentially designated for assignment once LHP Jon Lester returns. Fedde has only one other start against the Cardinals, which came back in 2018 at Nationals Park. Fedde went five innings, gave up four hits, four earned runs, a home run, and walked two. He struck out 7 in Washington's 11-8 loss.

For the Cardinals, 28-year-old John Gant will be making his second start. Gant is in a similar boat, as injuries have forced him into the rotation after Spring Training, where he had an ERA over 4 in 14 1/3 innings. Gant surrendered an unearned run on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in four innings in his first start.

Opening Day Lineup

For the first time during the 2021 regular season, the Washington Nationals lineup looks like what it was supposed to be on Opening Day. Today, the Nationals announced that they had activated Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Harrison off the IL. These players were immediately placed in today's lineup. Today's game will mark the Nationals debut of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber.

Still Leading Off.... Victor Robles

Leadoff hitter Victor Robles has reached base safely in all six games this season and has safely hit five of the six games. Robles has reached base safely in 10 of 25 appearances, not a bad way to start 2021.

Latest Roster Moves

Nationals remove Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Harrison off IL.

Nationals designate Jonathan Lucroy and option Luis García and Yadiel Hernandez.

Nationals placed Luis García and Yadiel Hernandez on the taxi squad and returned relievers Ryne Harper and T.J. McFarland to the alternate site.

Series Notes for Washington Nationals

• The Nationals have lost five straight after an Opening Day victory against the Braves.
• Manager Davey Martinez indicated the team should be adding some of their remaining quarantine players back to the roster during the series. This will lead to some difficult roster decisions.
• The Nationals have been shut out in three of their last four games and are only ahead of the Mets for fewest runs scored this season.
• As expected, Juan Soto and Trea Turner lead the Nationals with two home runs and four RBI apiece, while batting .300 and .304, respectively.

Series Notes for the St. Louis Cardinals

• The Cardinals are currently 5-4 with 3 of their wins coming against the Marlins.
• The batting leader for St. Louis is Yadier Molina, hitting .367. LF Dylan Carlson leads the team in home runs with 3.
• In their 5 wins, the Cardinals have scored 4 or more runs 4 times but have given up 9 or more in each of their 4 losses.
• Newcomer Nolan Arenado has hit .307 with 10 home runs against the Nationals in his career.

Game Lineups (Subject To Change without Notice)

Washington Nationals Lineup

Victor Robles - CF
Trea Turner - SS
Juan Soto - RF
Kyle Schwarber - LF
Starlin Castro - 3B
Josh Harrison - 2B
Yan Gomes - C
Erick Fedde - P

St. Louis Cardinals Lineup

Tommy Edman - RF
Paul Goldschmidt - 1B
Nolan Arenado - 3B
Yadier Molina - C
Dylan Carlson - CF
Paul Dejong - SS
Matt Carpenter - 2B
Justin Williams - LF
John Grant - P