The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals meet Sunday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Jordan Wicks will get the start for the Cubs here and Wicks is 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA and 32 strikeouts this season. This will be Wicks’ first career start against the Cubs. Mitchell Parker will get the start for the Nationals here and is 7-8 with a 4.26 ERA and 109 strikeouts this season. This will be Parker’s first career start against the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Recap
The Chicago Cubs will be out to complete the sweep after taking the first two games of the series thanks to a 5-3 win over the Nationals on Saturday. The series win gave the Cubs another series victory after taking out the Pirates and Marlins over the last week.
Cubs Looking To Make Run At NL Playoff Spot In September
Cody Bellinger has 112 hits including 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 57 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 126 hits, 28 doubles and a .258 batting average. Michael Busch has 16 homers with 51 RBIs but has 144 strikeouts as well this season. Ian Happ also has a team-high 33 doubles with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs but also has 147 strikeouts this season. Seiya Suzuki’s also chipped in 19 homers and 64 RBIs along with 6 triples this season while Pete Crow-Armstrong has 6 triples and 26 stolen bases, only trailing Hoerner’s 27 stolen bags this year.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won 10 of their last 11 road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have lost eight of their last 10 home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games following a home loss.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals will try to salvage something from this series after dropping the first two games of the series following Saturday’s loss. The series loss meant that the Nats would be unable to build on their series win over the New York Yankees from last weekend.
Nationals Trying To Play Spoiler Down The Stretch
CJ Abrams has 120 hits along with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs to go along with 26 doubles, 6 triples and 27 stolen bases. Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 124 hits including 23 doubles with 63 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Jacob Young has 31 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won five of their last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last five Sunday games as favorites against NL East opponents.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in 19 of their last 23 games as favorites against National League opponents following a win.
Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
I’m going to take a shot on the Nationals here. I just am not a fan of Jordan Wicks, and while Mitchell Parker’s had his issues, he’s actually pitched fairly well at home over the last month and I think he can cool down the Cubs’ bats here. I’m concerned about potential rust for Wicks and think that the Nationals can do enough to get the win in this one.