The Chicago Cubs are heading east to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. NBC Sports Chicago will be airing this NL matchup and the action gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals Odds
Chicago (+115) is entering this game as the underdog against Washington (-125) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. The game’s runline odds stand at -180 for betting the Cubs +1.5 runs and +160 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 69-71 straight up (SU) and 63-76 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 26.6 units for moneyline bettors and 16.5 units (ATS). Washington hasn’t covered the spread in any of its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Cubs have gone 82-57 SU this year and are 70-68 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 3.4 units for moneyline bettors and 1.9 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Nationals games have a 62-74-3 over/under record in 2018. The Cubs have also been a good under bet with a total record of 61-74-3.
Kyle Hendricks is getting the nod for the visiting Cubs. The right-handed Hendricks is 11-10 with a 3.77 ERA and 135 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA against Washington this year.
The Nationals are planning to start righty Stephen Strasburg (7-7, 4.09 ERA), who has 118 strikeouts and 27 walks, as well as a 1.19 WHIP. Strasburg has yet to face the Cubs this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 2.57 ERA and 13 strikeouts across seven innings).
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have a 4.05 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.
Washington’s offense has produced 4.6 runs per outing, including 5.9 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .281/.379/.421 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon have led the Nationals’ batters this year. Turner is hitting .271/.340/.413 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 86 runs and 35 steals, and Rendon’s line sits at .296/.358/.501 with 18 homers, 67 RBIs and 68 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 7.67 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.36, along with a WHIP of 1.35.
Cubs hitters have slashed .263/.341/.422 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have paced Chicago’s offense. Baez is slashing .297/.328/.572 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 87 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Rizzo (.285/.380/.487) is up to 24 homers, 90 RBIs and 65 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 0.3 units and are 54-54 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 46 of those games, compared to 59 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 8.0 units and are 49-53 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 45 of those games, as opposed to 55 which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
