The Washington Nationals will head west to take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to broadcast this NL showdown and the game is scheduled to get going at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 65-47 straight up (SU) and 58-56 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t strayed too far from expectations, losing 0.4 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.6 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Nationals have gone 57-53 SU this year and are 54-60 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 19.9 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 8.4 units ATS. Washington is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Chicago games have a 52-59-3 over/under record in 2018. The Nationals have also been a solid under bet with a total record of 47-65-2.
The right-handed Tanner Roark will get the nod for Washington. Roark (6-12, 4.21 ERA) has recorded 118 strikeouts in 136.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 2.84 ERA and four strikeouts over 6.1 innings).
The Cubs are planning to start righty Kyle Hendricks (8-9, 4.07 ERA), who’s got 110 strikeouts and 34 walks to his name, as well as a 1.21 WHIP. Hendricks only made one start against the Nationals in 2017 (0-1, 3.86 ERA and five strikeouts across seven innings).
Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 4.1 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
The Chicago hitters have put up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .268/.317/.452 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ hitters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Baez is hitting .302/.335/.594 with 25 home runs, 88 RBIs, 71 runs and 19 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line is .263/.360/.446 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 47 runs.
For the visiting squad, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.19 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.66, along with a WHIP of 1.22 and a K-per-9 of 8.64.
Nationals hitters have slashed .249/.331/.413 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 7.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 9.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Washington’s offense has been fueled by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The speedy Turner is slashing .269/.342/.416 with 14 home runs, 47 RBIs, 68 runs and 30 steals, while Rendon is slashing .291/.350/.522 with 16 homers, 55 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 4.7 units and are 42-41 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 33 of those games, compared to 49 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 5.4 units and are 43-44 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 40 of those games, compared to 44 which went under the total.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
