The Washington Nationals are playing host to the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast this NL matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Washington (+105) is the home-team underdog against Chicago (-115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9.5 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Cubs -1.5 runs (+130) and Nationals +1.5 runs (-150).
The Nationals are 71-72 straight up (SU) and 63-78 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 28.9 units for moneyline bettors and 18.5 units (ATS). Washington has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, have gone 83-59 SU this year and are 72-68 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 5.4 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 3.9 units ATS. Chicago’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Washington games have a 64-74-3 over/under record in 2018. Chicago has also been a good under bet with a total record of 63-74-3.
The southpaw Mike Montgomery is projected to start for the visiting Cubs. 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 handing the ball to righty Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00 ERA), who has 26 strikeouts and 11 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.58. Fedde has yet to face the Cubs this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 6.75 ERA and seven strikeouts across five and 1-third innings).
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 4.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
The Washington offense is putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 5.4 per game over its last 10 games and 6.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .278/.386/.426 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon have led the charge for the Nationals’ hitters this year. Turner is hitting .269/.340/.408 with 17 home runs, 61 RBIs, 89 runs and 37 steals, while Rendon is batting .298 with 19 homers, 71 RBIs and 72 runs.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.96 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.70 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.39, along with a K-per-9 of 8.65.
The Cubs offense has slashed .263/.341/.420 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo continue to lead Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .294/.325/.566 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 89 runs and 21 stolen bases. Rizzo (.284/.381/.485) is up to 24 homers, 91 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 2.4 units and are 56-54 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 48 of those games, compared to 59 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 18.6 units and are 14-23 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in 17 of those games, compared to 19 that went under the total.
Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in five of Washington’s last seven games.
Each team has hit 10 home runs over its last 10 outings.
The Chicago defense has allowed six errors over its last five games, compared to two errors for Washington over its last five.
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