Chicago Cubs (43-50) vs Washington Nationals (38-56)
2023-07-19 20:05:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Chicago Cubs -159 / Washington Nationals +146 --- Over/Under: 8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs meet Wednesday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. This will be the finale in a three-game series. The Nationals took a two-run win in the opener, then on Tuesday Chicago evened it up with a blowout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals posted 11 hits in the Monday opener of this set, eventually powering out a 7-5 win. On Tuesday Washington was up early but ended up losing 17-3. The Nationals got three hits from Dominic Smith and two from Keibert Ruiz. Paolo Espino gave up eight in 0.1 innings during a rough pitching outing overall.
It’s looking like Trevor Williams will take the start for the Nationals on Wednesday. Williams is 5-5 with a 4.42 ERA and 73 Ks in 93.2 innings over 19 starts so far this year.
Chicago Cubs
Over on the Cubs’ side, they scored twice in both the sixth and seventh innings but couldn’t dig out of the hole. In game two Chicago had three-RBI performances from Seiya Suzuki (4-for-6; two runs), Mike Tauchman (1-for-3; run) and Miguel Amaya (2-for-5; run).
Kyle Hendricks will take the mound for the Cubs on Wednesday. Over his 10 starts so far Hendricks is 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA and 37 Ks in 58.0 innings. Hendricks has a career record of 90-65 with a 3.46 ERA in 233 games (232 starts).
Hendricks is 5-2 when starting against Washington in his career and his team’s record is 9-2 in those starts. The under is 6-5.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I might take a stab on the Nationals here. Probably staying away from this one due to the rough loss Tuesday, though. Hendricks has been struggling over his last two starts. He’s got nine earned runs in his last 10.1 innings on 18 hits and zero walks. Hendricks is 0-1 in that time. Washington should have some opportunities on Wednesday. On Tuesday the Nationals had a lead until the bottom of the sixth, but the next three frames buried them. Washington has scored four or more runs in six of their last seven however, so I like an offensive turnaround in game three.
