The Chicago Cubs will send postseason legend Jon Lester to the bump for Game 2 of their NLDS against the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Lester is long renowned for his postseason excellence and he continued that tradition last season. Lester posted a 2.02 ERA and yielded only seven extra-base hits in 35.2 innings pitched during the 2016 postseason.
- The visiting team is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last 5 games in this matchup.
- The Nationals are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games in the playoffs as home favorites.
- The Cubs are 5-1 SU in Jon Lester’s last 6 starts.
The Nationals will counter with struggling southpaw Gio Gonzalez, who has posted a 5.85 ERA in his past six starts. Gonzalez surrendered five or more earned runs in three of his past six, something he had only done once all season prior to this stretch. The left-hander faced the Cubs once during the regular season and pitched a gem, allowing just one earned run in 6.0 innings.
Game 1 of the series proved to be a pitching duel with the two teams combining for seven hits and three runs with 22 strikeouts. That continued the trend of the UNDER cashing when the Cubs and Nationals meet in the nation’s capital, with the clubs failing to top the closing total in four of their past five in Washington.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Chicago Cubs were +103 moneyline underdogs in this one earlier in the day at most online sportsbooks including Sportsbook. The total was 8 at Sportsbook for those preferring OVER/UNDER betting.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 4.2-3.2 win for the Nationals on Saturday. 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
Washington (97-66) will face the 93-70 Cubs in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Chicago injuries news.
According to MLB Power Rankings here, it's the No. 19-ranked Washington Nationals and the No. 1-rated Chicago Cubs in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
At the plate, Washington owns the No. 6 ranking for hits at 9.04 per game. By contrast, the Chicago Cubs are rated No. 16 in the same category at 8.64 per game.
Chicago brings the No. 7-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Nationals's No. 5-ranked defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Kyle Hendricks silenced the Nationals bats in a 3-0 victory last time out versus Washington at Nationals Park.
- Chi Cubs is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
- Chi Cubs is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chi Cubs' last 16 games
- Chi Cubs is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
- Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games
- Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago home to Washington, Monday, October 9
