Chicago Cubs (15-13) vs. Washington Nationals (10-18)
May 4, 2023 1:05 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Nationals -210 / Chicago Cubs +175 ; Over/Under: 9
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The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals meet Thursday in MLB action from Nationals Park. This will be the finale in a four-game series. After a split in the first pair, on Wednesday in game three the Nationals eked out a low-scoring victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs managed a 5-1 victory in the Monday opener of this series, then lost 4-1 in game two. On Wednesday Chicago had an early 1-0 lead but ultimately fell 2-1. Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman finished with 6.0 innings, one earned, five hits and three walks.
For the starter job in the finale the Cubs will send out Jameson Taillon, who is coming off the injured list (strained left groin). Taillon is 0-2 this year with a 4.50 ERA in three starts.
Washington Nationals
Over on the Nationals’ side, they scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday on the way to the win. On Wednesday Washington out-hit Chicago 8-6 in the victory. Starter Jake Irvin put up 4.1 innings with one earned, two hits and four walks.
It’ll be Patrick Corbin in the start for the Nationals on Thursday. In his six starts this year Corbin is 1-4 with a 5.74 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. Corbin is 88-107 with a 4.34 career ERA in 284 games (266 starts).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably take a stab on the Nationals. Corbin hasn’t been too bad lately: he’s got eight earned runs in 17.1 combined innings on 19 hits and three walks over his last three starts. That said, Corbin is 0-2 in that stretch so he’ll need some offensive help here. On Wednesday the Nationals got a nice effort from the bullpen with 4.2 innings, four hits, one walk and five strikeouts. If Washington can get the bats going here they should be in good shape.
