ESPN PREVIEW
The Nationals, who won two of three from St. Louis in the season's second week, will hope that Tanner Roark (6-5, 5.15 ERA) can turn it around after three consecutive poor starts. Roark dropped a 6-2 decision Sunday to Cincinnati, allowing five first-inning runs. He has faced the Cardinals four times (two starts) in his career, going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA.
Mike Leake (5-6, 3.12 ERA) takes the mound for St. Louis, looking to snap a streak of six winless starts that dates back to May 29. He got a no-decision in an 8-4 victory Sunday night against Pittsburgh, where he gave up four runs (three earned) over six innings. Leake is 4-5 with a 4.24 ERA in 12 career starts against Washington. He earned a victory at Nationals Park on April 12, when he pitched seven shutout innings and outdueled Max Scherzer in a 6-1 decision.