The Chicago Cubs are traveling east to play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. This NL matchup will get going at 4:05 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Both teams have identical -105 moneyline odds and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 9 runs (+105 for the under and -125 for the over). The game’s runline odds sit at +140 for taking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -160 for the Nationals +1.5.
The Cubs are 84-61 SU and are 73-71 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, gaining 2.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.1 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 74-72 SU and 67-78 ATS. The team’s lost 23.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 14.4 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in six of those seven.
Washington games have had an over/under record of 67-75-3 in 2018. The Cubs have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 65-76-3.
Mike Montgomery will get the nod for Chicago. The left-handed Montgomery is 4-5 with a 3.85 ERA and 72 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Washington this year.
The Nationals are sending Joe Ross to the mound. This will be the first MLB start of the year for the right-handed Ross.
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.04, a WHIP of 1.24 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.0. The bullpen has a 3.90 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
Washington’s hitters have produced 4.7 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .232/.354/.439 over its last five matchups and is 5-0 SU during that span.
The Nationals’ offense has been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Turner is slashing .267/.338/.405 with 17 home runs, 62 RBIs, 90 runs and 37 stolen bases, and Rendon’s line sits at .298/.361/.507 with 19 homers, 71 RBIs and 77 runs.
For the visiting squad, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.75 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.38, along with a K-per-9 of 8.63.
Cubs hitters have slashed .261/.339/.416 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 3.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who collectively have belted 54 home runs. Baez is slashing .292/.326/.559 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 90 runs and 21 steals. Rizzo is hitting .277/.374/.473 with 24 homers, 92 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 0.7 units and are 57-56 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 50 of those games, compared to 60 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 16.1 units and are 16-23 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 19 which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The under has cashed in just one of Washington’s last seven games.
Chicago has posted 18.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 14.4 over its last five.
The Cubs have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 13 over their last 10.
*****
