The Washington Nationals are heading west to play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. This NL matchup is going to be televised nationally on ESPN and the opening pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 66-48 straight up (SU) and 58-57 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a lot for gamblers, gaining 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.6 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Nationals are 59-55 SU and have gone 56-60 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 19.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.8 units ATS. Washington’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 52-60-3 in 2018. Nationals games have gone under 66 times, gone over 47 times and pushed on three occasions.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 4.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
Chicago’s offense is putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.3 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .263/.324/.419 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is hitting .298/.331/.585 with 25 home runs, 88 RBIs, 72 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Rizzo’s line is .264/.359/.443 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 47 runs.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.06 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.70, along with a WHIP of 1.21.
The Nationals offense has slashed .250/.332/.415 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The speedy Turner is slashing .273/.346/.417 with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 69 runs and 31 stolen bases, while Rendon is slashing .295/.349/.516 with 16 homers, 58 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has logged 16 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 14 XBH over its last five.
- Washington has posted 27.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.8 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 11 over their last 10.
