The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up another home date at Busch Stadium on Saturday, September 19, when they host the Washington Nationals at 7:15 PM ET. Right-hander Michael McGreevy gets the ball for St. Louis against Washington's Andrew Alvarez in a late-season regular season matchup that gives several Cardinals youngsters a chance to make a statement down the stretch. With a lineup built around a mix of developing talent and established pieces, this is a game the Cardinals will want to take care of at home.

Cardinals vs. Nationals Starting Pitchers: McGreevy vs. Alvarez

Michael McGreevy draws the start for the Cardinals, continuing what has been an ongoing audition for a rotation spot. The right-hander has shown flashes of the command and pitch mix that made him a top prospect, and a strong outing against a Nationals lineup still finding its footing in a rebuilding phase would be a meaningful data point heading into the offseason. Washington counters with left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who will look to keep a Cardinals lineup off-balance that has the versatility to make life difficult on pitchers from any angle.

Cardinals Starting Lineup

• José Fermín, 3B
• Iván Herrera, DH
• Jordan Walker, RF
• Leo Bernal, 1B
• Thomas Saggese, 2B
• Masyn Winn, SS
• Nathan Church, CF
• Pedro Pagés, C
• Victor Scott II, LF

Keys to Watch for St. Louis

Jordan Walker in the Middle of the Order

Batting third, Walker remains one of the most important developmental storylines of this Cardinals era. The right fielder's bat is the kind of talent the organization has been patient with, and seeing him locked into the three-hole against a left-handed starter is a matchup worth watching closely. If Walker can do damage early against Alvarez, it sets the table for Leo Bernal and Thomas Saggese to keep the line moving.

Masyn Winn and the Bottom Half of the Lineup

The Cardinals drop Masyn Winn down to sixth in this lineup, which gives the bottom third of the order some legitimate teeth. Winn's ability to put the ball in play and use his speed keeps opposing pitchers honest. Victor Scott II hitting ninth gives St. Louis a legitimate threat at the bottom who can turn over the lineup in a hurry. Do not sleep on this part of the Cardinals order — it can create problems.

McGreevy's Efficiency and Pitch Count

The biggest question with McGreevy is always how deep he can go. If he commands his fastball and gets early-count outs, the Cardinals bullpen gets a much-needed breather late in a long regular season. If he labors through walks and deep counts, St. Louis will be leaning on relief arms well before the sixth inning.

Prediction

The Cardinals take this one at home. McGreevy delivers a quality start, Busch Stadium gives St. Louis an edge, and the lineup does enough damage against Alvarez to pull away by the middle innings. Cardinals 5, Nationals 3.

Catch the game on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen live on KMOX 1120 AM and 104.1 FM. First pitch is 7:15 PM ET.