In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 7th 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 81-61 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 11-5 and 1-2. In their game two loss, Chicago tied the game at one in the second inning, but failed to score over the last seven innings for the loss. The Cubs recorded three hits in the game and they were led by Kelly, who went 0-3 with one RBI in the game. Chicago started Boyd, who allowed seven hits and two earned runs over 7.0 innings for the loss, while Palencia and Pomeranz closed out the game.
Prior to this series, the Cubs won two out of three against the Braves and two out of three against the Rockies. Chicago has won three of their last five games and they are currently second in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.87 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .242 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 700 runs with a .249 batting average and a .320 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 85 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Colin Rea, who is 10-6 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 136.0 innings pitched this season.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 57-84 this year after they won game two by a score of 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Washington scored once in the first inning and once in the fourth to secure the low scoring win. The Nationals recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Alfaro and Lile, who both had one RBI in the win. Washington started Lord, who allowed two hits and one earned run over 5.2 innings for the win, while Henry picked up the save.
Prior to this series, the Nationals swept the Marlins in three games, but lost all three against the Rays before that. Washington has won four of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.30 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .267 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 595 runs with a .243 batting average and a .307 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 Andrew Alvarez, who is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.60 WHIP over 5.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Cubs will beat the Nationals
- The Nationals have lost each of their last six road games against the Cubs following a win.
- The Cubs have won each of their last six day games following a home loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six road games against the Cubs following a win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six day games following a home loss.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last nine day games against NL Central opponents.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Four of the last five games between the Nationals and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Nationals’ last five games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Nationals’ last nine games at Wrigley Field.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last five day games against NL East opponents.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Ian Happ has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four day games.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Luis Garcia has hit a home run in each of his last three road appearances against NL opponents.
Cubs vs Nationals Prediction
Washington bounced back from their loss on Friday with a great pitching performance on Saturday for the win, and they will look to steal the series here. The Nationals are 28-42 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 44-27 at home. Chicago is currently in the first wild card spot and they are starting Rea, who has been very solid for most of the season. Washington is starting Alvarez, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings in his first start against Miami. The Nationals have been a tough team to figure out all season, but we know their lineup is super inconsistent. Take the Cubs by at least two here.