In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Friday, September 5th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 80-60 this year after they won two out of three against Atlanta by scores of 7-6, 4-3, and 1-5. In their game three loss, Chicago led 1-0 in the second inning, but allowed five runs in the seventh and eighth for the tough loss. The Cubs recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Castro, who went 1-3 with one RBI in the loss. Chicago started Horton, who allowed zero hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Brown picked up the loss in relief.
Prior to that series, the Cubs won two out of three against the Rockies, but did lose all three against the Giants before that. Chicago has won four of their last six games and they are currently second in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.88 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .243 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 688 runs with a .249 batting average and a .319 on base percentage this season. Seiya Suzuki has led Chicago with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has added 28 home runs and 83 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Javier Assad, who is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 20.0 innings pitched this year.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 56-83 this season after they won all three games against Miami by scores of 2-0, 5-2, and 10-5. In their game three win, Washington jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning and was never in danger of losing. The Nationals recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Nunez, who went 3-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Washington started Parker, who allowed seven hits and two earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Rutledge picked up the win and Poulin got a hold.
Prior to that series, the Nationals lost all three against the Rays and all three against the Yankees. Washington has lost eight of their last eleven games and they are last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.28 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .267 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 588 runs with a .243 batting average and a .308 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs, while CJ Abrams has added 17 home runs and 53 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Jake Irvin, who is 8-10 with a 5.42 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 154.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Cubs will beat the Nationals
- The Nationals have lost each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cubs have won eight of their last nine day games following a home loss.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 day games against NL East opponents following a home loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a win.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four day games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games as underdogs.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the last six games between the Nationals and Cubs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Nationals’ last five games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Cubs’ last nine home games against NL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last seven Friday day games against NL Central opponents.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight day games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Luis Garcia has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two road games against NL opponents.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight road appearances against NL Central opponents.
Cubs vs Nationals Prediction
Washington finally ended their losing streak earlier this week and now they are looking for their fourth win in a row. The Nationals are 27-41 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 43-26 at home. Chicago is most likely playing for a wild card spot and they are starting Assad, who has allowed 3, 1, 1, and 4 earned runs in four outings this year. The Nats are going with Irvin, who has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four outings. Take the Cubs to win by at least two runs here.