The Chicago Cubs are set to play host to the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. The game gets underway 2:20 p.m. ET and WGN will televise this NL matchup.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Nationals are 72-57 SU and have gone 72-56 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.9 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having gained 12.8 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 69-60 SU and 60-68 ATS. They’ve lost 3.2 units for moneyline bettors and 7.9 units ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Neither squad has been a strong over/under play this season. Cubs games have a 59-60-9 over/under record in 2019. Washington has an over/under record of 60-62-6.
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is projected to start for the visiting Nationals. Strasburg is 15-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 191 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are handing the ball to lefty Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.73 ERA), who’s got 112 strikeouts and 41 walks, along with a 1.31 WHIP. Hamels is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. The club’s starters have a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.17 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.
Chicago’s offense has produced 4.9 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .227/.324/.383 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs’ offense this year. Baez is slashing .283/.315/.535 with 28 home runs, 82 RBIs, 84 runs and 10 stolen bases, and Bryant is batting .282 with 26 homers, 63 RBIs and 91 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 3.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.42 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.95, along with a WHIP of 1.21.
Nationals hitters have slashed .264/.344/.453 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game in 2019, including 9.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Adam Eaton continue to lead Washington’s hitters. Rendon is slashing .323/.402/.608 with 28 home runs, 102 RBIs and 92 runs scored. Eaton (.291/.376/.439) is up to 12 homers, 42 RBIs, 89 runs and 13 stolen bases.
The Nationals have lost 2.3 units and are 17-15 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 14 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve hit the under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 3.9 units and are 49-51 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 47 of those games, compared to 46 that went under.
Nationals vs. Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in five of Washington’s last seven contests.
- The Nationals have hit 24 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 13 over their last 10.
- The Nationals have an OPS of .797 this season, including an OPS of .824 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .781 overall and .740 against southpaws.
- Washington has recorded 35.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 29.0 over its last five.
- The Nationals have won six of their last seven games SU.
