Nationals Look to Sweep Struggling Cardinals in St. Louis

The Nationals just hung eight runs on the Cardinals at Busch Stadium last night, cashing as slight road underdogs and making it look easy in the process. Now they're back for the Sunday finale with momentum firmly on their side and the Cardinals looking like a team that's already mentally checked out for the offseason.

Washington's bats are clicking at the right time, and St. Louis can't seem to find answers on the mound or at the plate. When you drop the opener of a home series by three runs despite playing in your own building, that's a problem. The Cardinals' pitching staff got touched up for eight, and there's little reason to believe they'll suddenly flip the script twenty-four hours later.

The Nationals have the hot hand, the confidence, and the recent head-to-head proof that they can handle whatever St. Louis throws at them. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are limping through September like a team ready for the calendar to turn.

DarkHorse hasn't dropped a pick for today's rematch yet, but after nailing the Nats last night, don't be shocked if the sharps lean Washington again. This Cardinals squad looks cooked, and the visitors smell blood in the water. Sweep city might be on the menu.