Jordan Zimmermann (5-2, 2.88 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (1-2, 3.99 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Washington Nationals (30-26) and the Chicago Cubs (29-25) at Nationals Park. The Cubs won the last game 4-2 and Chicago leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 7 and can be seen on CSN-CHI and MASN2.
Zimmermann is 1-4 with a 4.32 ERA in his appearances against the Cubs, and goes up against a below-average Chicago offense which is batting just .238 this season. Bryce Harper (.333, 44 Rs, 19 HRs, 46 RBIs, 3 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Nationals, Hendricks is 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and four strikeouts. Anthony Rizzo (.328, 31 Rs, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Washington is a -146 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Nationals have an overall money line of -148 and a record as the favorite of 26-18. The Nationals have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.7 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.4 runs per game.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 10-11 record and an overall money line of -33. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-3 record, and a 4-6 record SU. Offensively, the Cubs have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 2.7 during that stretch. The Cubs are an excellent base stealing team with 45 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.21 for the season. The Cubs have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.8 strikeouts per game.
The Nationals have a 21-21 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hendricks takes the mound. Zimmermann (RHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 23-21 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cubs have a 6-12 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 6-24. The Cubs have a 7-20 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Chicago has hit 53 this season. Washington ranks 10th with 58 home runs.
Ranking 11th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.17 per game. Washington ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.49.
Ranking 18th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.698). Washington ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .726.
The Cubs are 16-19 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Nationals are 9-15 when they allow at least one homer.
