The Chicago Cubs are set to do battle against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. This NL matchup will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the game.
Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 65-47 straight up (SU) and 58-56 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot for gamblers, losing 0.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 1.6 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Nationals have gone 57-53 SU this year and are 54-60 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 19.9 units for moneyline bettors and 8.4 units ATS. Washington is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 52-59-3 in 2018. Nationals games have gone under 65 times, gone over 47 times and pushed on two occasions.
The right-handed Tanner Roark is projected to start for the visiting Nationals. Roark (6-12, 4.21 ERA) has recorded 118 strikeouts in 136.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 2.84 ERA and four strikeouts over six and one-third innings).
The Cubs are putting the ball in the right hand of Kyle Hendricks (8-9, 4.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP), who’s got 110 strikeouts and 34 walks this season. Hendricks only made one start against the Nationals in 2017 (0-1, 3.86 ERA and five strikeouts across seven innings).
As a unit, Chicago’s pitchers have yielded 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 4.12, a WHIP of 1.38 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 3.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
The Chicago offense is putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .268/.317/.452 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the charge for the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is slashing .302/.335/.594 with 25 home runs, 88 RBIs, 71 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Rizzo is hitting .263 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 47 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.19 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.66, along with a K-per-9 of 8.64.
Nationals hitters have slashed .249/.331/.413 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 7.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 9.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon continue to lead Washington’s offense. The speedy Turner is slashing .269/.342/.416 with 14 home runs, 47 RBIs, 68 runs and 30 stolen bases, while Rendon is hitting .291/.350/.522 with 16 homers, 55 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 4.7 units and are 42-41 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 33 of those games, as opposed to 49 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 5.4 units and are 43-44 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 40 of those games, compared to 44 that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has cashed in three of Washington’s last seven games.
The Nationals have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
Chicago has posted 23 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 22 over its last five.
The Cubs have won three of their last four games SU.
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