The Washington Nationals are preparing to do battle against the Chicago Cubs in a Saturday showdown. This NL showdown will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Nationals have gone 71-57 SU this year and are 71-56 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.0 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having gained 11.8 units ATS. Washington’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 69-59 SU and 60-67 ATS. The team has lost 1.9 units for moneyline bettors and 6.9 units ATS. Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Chicago games have a 58-60-9 over/under record in 2019. The Nationals have an over/under record of 59-62-6.
Joe Ross is getting the start for the visiting Nationals. The right-handed Ross (3-3, 5.48 ERA) has recorded 38 strikeouts in 46 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are handing the ball to lefty Jose Quintana (11-7, 3.91 ERA), who has 131 strikeouts and 36 walks, along with a 1.25 WHIP. Quintana has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.05, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.8. The bullpen has a 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.
The Chicago offense is putting up 4.9 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 5.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .234/.331/.443 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is slashing .281/.313/.533 with 28 home runs, 82 RBIs, 84 runs and 10 steals, and Bryant’s line is .284/.383/.528 with 26 homers, 63 RBIs and 91 runs.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.44 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 6.02, along with a WHIP of 1.20 and a K/9 of 9.05.
Nationals hitters have slashed .264/.343/.455 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 9.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 8.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and right fielder Adam Eaton continue to lead Washington’s offense. Rendon is slashing .323/.400/.609 with 28 home runs, 101 RBIs and 92 runs scored, while Eaton (.290/.376/.440) has produced 12 homers, 41 RBIs, 88 runs and 13 stolen bases.
The Nationals have lost 3.5 units and are 16-15 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 13 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 5.2 units and are 49-50 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 46 of those games, compared to 46 that went under the total.
Nationals at Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in four of Washington’s last seven games.
- The Nationals have an OPS of .797 this season, including an OPS of .825 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .781 overall and .740 against southpaws.
- The Nationals have won five of their last six games SU.
- Chicago has posted 16.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.4 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 26 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 14 over their last 10.
