The Washington Nationals are prepared to battle against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and WGN is in line to broadcast this NL matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (+125) as the underdog to Washington (-135). The total stands at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +105 and the under for -125. The game’s runline odds sit at -170 for betting the Cubs +1.5 runs and +150 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Cubs have gone 25-16 SU this year and are 21-19 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 5.7 units for moneyline gamblers in the season’s early going and 3.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 18-25 SU and 16-26 ATS. The team has lost 13.8 units for moneyline bettors and 13.1 units ATS. Washington has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven outings and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Washington games have had an over/under record of 20-19-3 so far in 2019. The Cubs have an over/under record of 21-18-1.
Cole Hamels is getting the start for the Cubbies. The left-handed Hamels is 3-0 with a 3.08 ERA and 49 strikeouts. This will be his first outing against Washington this year. He made two starts against the team in 2018, compiling a 0-0 record with a 2.84 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
The Nationals are turning to Max Scherzer (2-4, 3.64 ERA). Scherzer has 79 strikeouts and 10 walks, along with a 1.15 WHIP. Scherzer made two starts against the Cubs in 2018, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.69 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have given up 5.0 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.01, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.5. The bullpen has a 6.20 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
Washington’s hitters have produced 4.4 runs per contest, including 3.1 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .217/.272/.350 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Outfielders Adam Eaton and Victor Robles have led the Nationals’ batters so far. Eaton is slashing .273/.337/.378 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, 24 runs and five stolen bases, and Robles is hitting .255 with eight homers, 17 RBIs, 29 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.81 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.90, along with a WHIP of 1.21.
The Cubs offense has slashed .252/.345/.442 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 3.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .326/.360/.611 with 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and 32 runs scored. Bryant (.262/.397/.517) has produced eight homers, 26 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 4.8 units and are 17-14 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 4.4 units and are 3-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to four that went under the total.
Cubs at Nationals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Each offenses has logged 13 extra-base hits over its last five games.
- The Cubs have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit seven over their last 10.
- The Cubs have a team OPS of .787 this season and an OPS of .801 against right-handed pitchers. The Nationals’ OPS stands at .711 overall and .683 versus righties.
- Chicago has recorded 18.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.6 over its last five.
