The Washington Nationals will try to avoid losing their fourth straight game as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. The game gets underway 3:05 p.m. ET and WGN is in line to televise this NL matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Jaime Garcia will get the start for the Cubbies. The left-handed Garcia is 3-6 with a 5.93 ERA and 69 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 1.13 ERA and eight strikeouts across eight innings).
The Nationals will turn to righty ace Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.28 ERA), who’s got 260 punchouts and 46 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 0.88. Scherzer is 0-0 with 11 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have an ERA of 4.04, a WHIP of 1.24 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.9. The bullpen has a 3.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
The Washington offense has put up 4.6 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 5.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .283/.374/.433 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Nationals’ offense has been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Turner is hitting .271/.340/.412 with 17 home runs, 59 RBIs, 86 runs and 35 stolen bases, while Rendon is hitting .297 with 18 homers, 68 RBIs and 69 runs scored.
For the visitors, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.92 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 7.69 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.33, along with a WHIP of 1.35 and a K-per-9 of 8.72.
Cubs hitters have slashed .263/.341/.422 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo continue to lead Chicago’s offense. Baez is slashing .295/.326/.568 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 88 runs and 21 steals, while Rizzo is hitting .286/.382/.489 with 24 homers, 91 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Chicago has logged 16 extra-base hits over its last five games. Washington has 18 XBH over its last five.
- Both teams have launched 10 home runs over their last 10 games.
- Chicago has posted 21.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.4 over its last five.
- The Nationals have dropped four of their last five games SU.
