Cubs vs Nationals Prediction 8/13/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Nationals Prediction for this MLB matchup on Thursday, August 13^th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Washington Nationals Preview

The Washington Nationals have a 59-63 record this season and are sitting in 4th place in the NL East. They have a 26-36 home record and are coming off a 6-12 home loss against the Cubs. They will face the Mets and the Rangers next.

The Washington Nationals have a .252 batting average this season, a .328 OBP, and a .441 slugging percentage. The Nationals’ pitching staff has a 4.76 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. CJ Abrams leads the Nationals with a .284 batting average and a team-high 91 RBI, while James Wood adds a team-high 30 home runs.

Cade Cavalli (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 9-5 record, a 3.57 ERA, and a 1.30 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 71-50 record this season and are sitting in 2nd place in the NL Central. They have a 36-26 away record and are coming off a 12-6 away win against the Nationals. They will face the Cardinals and the White Sox next.

The Chicago Cubs have a .250 batting average this season, a .340 OBP, and a .421 slugging percentage. The Cubs’ pitching staff has a 4.08 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs with a .284 batting average, 27 home runs, and 73 RBI.

Kevin Gausman (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 6-10 record, a 4.29 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: August 13, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Cade Cavalli      Record this season: 9-5      ERA: 3.57
• Home Record: 4-2
• Last 5 against Cubs: 0-0

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have lost each of their last three day games against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last three day games against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home day games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kevin Gausman      Record this season: 6-10      ERA: 4.29
• Road Record: 3-5
• Last 5 against Nationals: 3-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last 14 games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have lost nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last nine road games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against the Nationals.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in 13 of their last 16 day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in three of their last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Nationals’ last nine day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four games as favorites against National League 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 Thursday games against National League opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four day games between the Cubs and Nationals at Nationals Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit at least one home run in three of the Nationals’ last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Cade Cavalli has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances.
• Cade Cavalli has recorded six or more strikeouts in five of his last six home appearances against NL opponents.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances in day games.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (40) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Alex Bregman has hit at least one home run in four of the Cubs’ last five games as road favorites against NL opponents.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against the Nationals.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded five or more strikeouts in 14 of his last 15 appearances with his team as a road favorite against NL opponents.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine games against NL opponents.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 5th in the league in Steals (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (655).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (176).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for on-base percentage this season (.340).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (519).

Cubs vs Nationals Prediction

The Cubs are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Nationals and have won their last three visits in Washington.

In this Cubs vs Nationals Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -135 road favorites. Both pitchers have been shaky, as Gausman sits on a 5.33 road ERA and Cavalli has given up two runs or more in six of his last seven starts. Both offenses have been the two best in baseball this season and scorching-hot lately, averaging 14.7 runs per game combined in their last five games. Take the over 8.5 runs in this one.