JUPITER, Fla.—The Cardinals will be presented a stark reminder of last October when they encounter the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals and righthander Anibal Sanchez in Tuesday’s exhibition game.
It was Sanchez, the Nationals’ fourth starter, who no-hit the Cardinals for 7 1/3 innings in the first game of the National League Championship Series as the Nationals blanked the Cardinals 2-0 en route to a four-game sweep.
Lefthander Austin Gomber, who missed most of last season with a shoulder issue at Memphis, will be the Cardinals’ starter, followed by Alex Reyes, who also missed much of last year with assorted injuries.