The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals meet Saturday in MLB action from Nationals Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game set between these teams this week. In the Friday opener, the Nationals eked out a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago played the Reds this week, winning Monday before falling in the other three games. In the Friday opener versus the Nats, the Cubs showed some life in the eighth inning but ultimately fell 4-3. Jake Arrieta logged 4.0 innings with six hits, two earned and three Ks.
For the starter job in the Saturday game two, the Cubs will send out Kyle Hendricks. Over his 121.2 innings this year, Hendricks has 134 hits, 56 runs (52 earned), 22 homers allowed, 25 walks, 91 Ks and a 3.85 ERA.
Over on the Nationals’ side, they played the Phillies this week, managing a series tie at two games apiece. In the Friday matchup against the Cubs, Washington peppered in four runs on nine hits. Paolo Espino had 5.1 innings with four hits, one earned and six strikeouts.
The Nationals originally announced Erick Fedde as the starter for Saturday’s game, but changed the information to Joe Ross shortly thereafter. Fedde could serve as the starter for the Sunday finale.
The Cubs are 22-51 in their last 73 as a road underdog and 6-15 in their last 21 after a loss. Chicago is 8-21 in their last 29 road games and 8-22 in their last 30 overall.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 4-1 in their last five home games and 8-17 in their last 25 overall. Washington is 66-31 in their last 97 as a home favorite and 4-1 in their last five home games.
PICK: I’m probably going to stay with the Cubs in this one. That is, if Hendricks can bounce back from a sketchy start his last time up. On July 26 versus the Reds, Hendricks put up 4.1 innings with nine hits, two walks, two homers and five earned runs. The good news is that Hendricks had a nice run going before that, with six earned over four starts. I like him to return to form in this one and help Chicago find a win.