The St. Louis Cardinals return to Busch Stadium on Friday, September 18, 2026, to host the Washington Nationals in a 8:15 PM ET first pitch. Kyle Leahy gets the ball for St. Louis against Washington's Cade Cavalli in a late-season regular season matchup that gives the Cardinals a chance to build momentum in front of their home crowd. With rosters loaded with young talent on both sides, this one is worth watching regardless of where either club sits in the standings.

Cardinals vs. Nationals Pitching Matchup: Kyle Leahy vs. Cade Cavalli

Kyle Leahy draws the start for the Cardinals. The right-hander will need to navigate a Nationals lineup that is stacked with intriguing young bats, and how he manages the heart of Washington's order will go a long way toward determining the outcome. Leahy's ability to work efficiently through multiple innings is the key variable for a Cardinals club that will want to keep its bullpen fresh deep into September.

On the other side, Cade Cavalli takes the hill for Washington. Cavalli has the kind of arm that can make any lineup uncomfortable, so the Cardinals will need to stay disciplined early and make him work deep into counts. Getting Cavalli into trouble before the middle innings is the blueprint St. Louis will want to follow.

Cardinals Starting Lineup at Busch Stadium

• 1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B
• 2. Iván Herrera, DH
• 3. Alec Burleson, 1B
• 4. Jordan Walker, RF
• 5. Leo Bernal, C
• 6. Thomas Saggese, 3B
• 7. Bryan Torres, LF
• 8. Masyn Winn, SS
• 9. Nathan Church, CF

Washington Nationals Starting Lineup

• 1. James Wood, DH
• 2. Daylen Lile, LF
• 3. Dylan Crews, RF
• 4. CJ Abrams, SS
• 5. Brady House, 3B
• 6. Jorbit Vivas, 2B
• 7. Yohandy Morales, 1B
• 8. Harry Ford, C
• 9. Jacob Young, CF

Keys to Watch in Friday's Cardinals-Nationals Game

Jordan Walker in the Cleanup Spot

Walker hitting fourth is a statement of confidence from the Cardinals' dugout. If he can drive in runs against a Cavalli who is capable of overpowering hitters, St. Louis gets a significant boost in the middle innings when games are decided.

Masyn Winn at the Bottom of the Order

Winn hitting eighth means the Cardinals are getting legitimate athleticism and on-base ability near the bottom of their lineup. That creates a built-in second table-setter, giving Wetherholt and Herrera at the top of the order another look with runners on base.

The Nationals' Young Core

James Wood, Dylan Crews, and CJ Abrams give Washington a dangerous top of the order. Leahy's ability to limit damage from that trio will be the single biggest factor in whether this game stays competitive for St. Louis. The Nationals are not a team to take lightly, even on the road.

Prediction

The Cardinals take this one at home. Busch Stadium provides a familiar comfort in September, and the Cardinals lineup has enough balance from top to bottom to scratch out runs against Cavalli. Leahy needs to give the Cardinals five solid innings to keep the bullpen in a manageable position. Expect a close game that the Cardinals win by a run or two. Cardinals 4, Nationals 3.

Catch the game on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365 or listen locally on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM.