Tanner Roark (1-2, 2.59 ERA) and Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 2.30 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the Washington Nationals (29-25) and the Chicago Cubs (28-24) at Nationals Park. The Cubs won the last game 2-1 and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 5 and can be seen on CSN-CHI and MASN.
Roark is 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA in his appearances against the Cubs, but goes up against a below-average Chicago offense which is batting just .238 this season. Denard Span (.301, 23 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run. Against the Nationals, Wada is 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Anthony Rizzo (.321, 29 Rs, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Washington is a -128 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 -137 and a record as the favorite of 25-17. The Nationals have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.5 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 9-10 record and an overall money line of -34. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-2 record when playing as the underdog. The Cubs are an excellent base stealing team with 45 stolen bases, ranking third 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 1.20 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 great 8-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Wada takes the mound. Roark (RHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 23-20 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Washington is 14-11, while Chicago is 13-11.
The Cubs are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Nationals have a record of 9-13 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cubs are 16-3. The Nationals have a 20-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st in runs, Chicago has earned 207 this season. Washington ranks 11th with 234 runs.
Ranking sixth, Washington is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 176 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at third with 183.
When the Nationals hit at least one home run, they are 21-9, well-matched with the Cubs who are 19-11 when hitting one or more homers.
