GatewayRedbirds.com

Cardinals vs Nationals
5:45 PM CT - April 6, 2026
Nationals Park - Washington, D.C.
Watch: Cardinals - Cardinals.TV/Nationals - Nationals.TV
Listen: Cardinals - KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM/Nationals - 106.7 The Fan

Andre Pallante has played 5 seasons for the Cardinals. He has 25 wins, 29 losses, an ERA of 4.28 and 324 strikeouts. He is coming off a win against the Mets in which he gave up 0 runs on 3 hits in 5 innings.





Zack Littell has played 9 seasons for 6 teams, including the Rays and Twins. He has 34 wins, 30 losses, an ERA of 3.90 and 497 strikeouts. His last outing was a loss against the Phillies; he went 5 innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits, including 2 home runs.

This will be the 659th meeting of the two franchises. The Cardinals lead the all time series with a record of 344-314.

St. Louis

RHP Hunter Dobbins
Injury: Torn right ACL
IL date: March 25 (15-day IL, retroactive to March 2)
Expected return: TBD
Status: Began rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on March 31. Pitched five innings, allowing three runs on 70 pitches vs. Norfolk. (Updated: April 1)

RHP Matt Pushard
Injury: Right knee patellar tendonitis
IL date: March 30 (15-day IL)
Expected return: TBD
Status: Pushard felt right knee soreness on March 30, per manager Oliver Marmol. After imaging, the team believed he would be unavailable for several days, triggering the move. (Updated: March 31)

OF Lars Nootbaar
Injury: Surgery on both heels
IL date: March 25 (60-day IL)
Expected return: TBD
Status: Underwent surgery last October to address Haglund’s deformities in both heels. Started his running progression on March 20, but no date has been set for a return to the lineup. (Updated: March 21)

Washington

RHP Josiah Gray
Injury: Right flexor strain
IL date: March 23, retroactive to March 22 (60-day IL)
Expected return: 2026
Status: Felt soreness pitching on March 20, has been shut down from throwing activity. Nationals are being cautious because Gray is returning from Tommy John surgery. (Last updated: March 26)

RHP Paxton Schultz
Injury: Right elbow inflammation
IL date: March 23, retroactive to March 22 (15-day IL)
Expected return: TBD
Status: Schultz did not appear in a Spring Training game after Feb. 28. (Last updated: March 24)

LHP DJ Herz
Injury: Left UCL sprain
IL date: Feb. 11 (60-day IL)
Expected return: 2026
Status: Progressing through throwing program; threw a bullpen session on March 20. (Last updated: March 23)

RHP Trevor Williams
Injury: Right elbow sprain
IL date: Feb. 10 (60-day IL)
Expected return: 2026
Status: Continuing throwing progression; throwing on flat ground at 125 feet. (Last updated: March 23)

RHP Jarlin Susana (Nationals' No. 4 prospect, MLB No. 80)
Injury: Right lat surgery
Expected return: 2026
Status: Threw 15 pitches at a distance of 60 feet on Feb. 20; continuing throwing progressing, with flat ground throwing three times a week. (Last updated: March 23)

RHP Travis Sykora (Nationals' No. 2 prospect, MLB No. 54)
Injury: Right UCL reconstruction
Expected return: 2027
Status: Continuing throwing progression, including throwing on flat ground three times a week. (Last updated: March 23)

131 players have played for both the Cardinals and Nationals franchises, including Tim McCarver, Fernando Tatis, Sr and Larry Walker.

I hope we win.

Nostradumbass. That's my name.

Purpose of this rebuild (allegedly) is so Cardinals can learn about guys like Nathan Church. Nine games into the season, Church sits against a righty so a utility infielder can play left field. They’re just stealing money.