The Chicago Cubs are unquestionably the best team in Major League Baseball, but they’ll have to tangle with a squad that’s equally as hot as them on Tuesday. The Washington Nationals, who claimed a 4-1 victory over the Cubbies on Monday, have won four-straight and 11 of their last 14 tilts.
John Lackey and Gio Gonzalez are slated to get the ball for the Cubs and Nats, respectively. Lackey (7-2, 2.63 ERA) has notched eight-straight quality starts and has emerged triumphant in his last three. The 37-year-old has thrown 13.5 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts in his two June starts.
Gonzalez has lost four consecutive outings, but he did have a solid day in his last start against the White Sox. The 30-year-old struck out 10 and allowed three runs over seven innings in that matchup, but the Nats weren’t able to help him out at the plate.
When tabbed as favorites against the Nationals, the Cubs are cashing for UNDER bettors. The UNDER is 5-1 in Chicago's last six against the Nationals when books list the Cubbies as faves.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Chicago Cubs were -115 moneyline favorites in this one earlier in the day at most online sportsbooks including Sportsbook. The total was 7.5 at Sportsbook for those preferring over under betting.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 5.4-2.2 win for the Nationals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Nationals sport a record of 40-24 heading into this matchup, while the Chicago Cubs sit at 43-19 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Chicago injuries news.
The Washington Nationals sit at No. 6 in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Chicago Cubs sit at No. 1 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Washington Nationals No. 11-ranked scoring average of 4.62 runs per game, against a Chicago Cubs offense rated No. 3 and scoring 5.42 runs per game. The Nationals have averaged 8.5 hits per game to date this season, less than the Cubs hitters have managed (8.6 per nine innings).
Washington owns the No. 3 defense, allowing 4.62 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Chicago's No. 1-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Cubs hope to make more contact than they did in their start against M Scherzer, who struck out 11 batters in 4-1 loss on Monday at Nationals Park.
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago at Washington, Wednesday, June 15th