Cubs vs Nationals Prediction 8/11/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Nationals Prediction for this MLB matchup on Tuesday, August 11^th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Washington Nationals Preview

The Washington Nationals have a 59-61 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the NL East. They have a 26-34 home record and are coming off a 7-1 home win against the Reds. They will face the Mets and the Rangers next.

The Washington Nationals have a .251 batting average this season, .328 OBP and .439 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.71 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .287 batting average, leading the team in RBI with 89, while James Wood adds a team-high 30 home runs.

Jake Irvin (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 2-5 record, 5.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 69-50 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the NL Central. They have a 34-26 away record and are coming off a 10-2 road win against the Royals. They will face the Cardinals and the White Sox next.

The Chicago Cubs have a .250 batting average this season, .339 OBP and .417 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.05 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the team’s best hitter with a .286 batting average, leading the team in RBI with 71 and adding a team-high 26 home runs.

Shota Imanaga (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 8-9 record, 3.60 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: August 11, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin      Record this season: 2-5      ERA: 5.37
• Home Record: 0-3
• Last 5 against Cubs: 1-4

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Cubs.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as favorites against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last six home games against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games at Nationals Park following a road win.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight home games.
• The Cubs have lost the first inning in three of their last four games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Shota Imanaga      Record this season: 8-9      ERA: 3.60
• Road Record: 3-4
• Last 5 against Nationals: 2-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last 12 games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have lost 11 of their last 12 night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six road games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Four of the Cubs’ last five games as favorites have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Nationals’ last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last eight games against NL East opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in eight of the last nine night games between the Cubs and Nationals.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit at least one home run in each of the Nationals’ last two home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Jake Irvin has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Daylen Lile has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last eight home games.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (40) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven games against NL opponents.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in seven of his last eight appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T4th in the league in Steals (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (643).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (171).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for on-base percentage this season (.339).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (508).

Cubs vs Nationals Prediction

The Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 meetings against the Cubs, but have lost two of their last three meetings in Washington.

In this Cubs vs Nationals Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -180 road favorites. I like the Cubs in this one with Imanaga on the mound, who has been in excellent form, having given up just four runs across his last five starts. On the flip side, Irvin has been terrible at home with a 0-3 record and 7.04 ERA and the Nationals’ offense has been struggling against lefties lately, averaging just 3 runs per game in their last 10. Take the Cubs to win this one on the road.