After four games of pitching dominance between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, it all comes down to Game 5 in the nation’s capital Thursday. The Cubs, who lost Game 4, have won their past six games coming off a defeat and have not lost back-to-back outings since September 10. Despite constant regular-season success, the Nats will be looking for their first postseason series win since 1981 when they were the Montreal Expos.
- The Cubs are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games as favorites against the Nationals.
- The Nationals are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games in the playoffs at home.
- The Nationals and Cubs are batting .128 and .159 in the series, respectively.
The Cubbies will turn to Kyle Hendricks on the mound after he dominated in Game 1. The righty allowed two hits and no runs in 7.0 innings against the Nationals in the series opener. Hendricks has surrendered just two earned runs in his past four starts, a span that stretches 25.2 innings of work.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker did not confirm who would get the start for the squad after Game 4 but it was confirmed on Thursday that it would be Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was unspectacular in his start in Game 2, allowing three runs – including two dingers – in 5.0 innings.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to pick the Washington Nationals in this matchup found them as +105 underdogs on the MLB moneyline at Sportsbook. Betting the OVER/UNDER instead? It was 8 at its open earlier today and hovering near that number at Sportsbook.
OddsShark prediction models pick the Nationals to win this game 2.6-2.4. 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
99-67 Washington battles the Cubs, currently with a 94-72 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Chicago injuries news.
The OddsShark MLB Power Rankings have the Washington Nationals at No. 19 and the Chicago Cubs at No. 1 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits the Washington Nationals' No. 6-rated offense, averaging 5.01 runs per game, against a Chicago Cubs defense that ranks No. 7 at 4.26 in runs allowed per game. The Washington Nationals have averaged 8.96 hits per game so far, more than Chicago Cubs batters have averaged on the year (8.57 hits per game).
Comparing defensive stats, Chicago owns the No. 5-rated road mark, allowing 4 runs per game on the highway. Washington, on the other hand, rates No. 8 in scoring at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Chi Cubs is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
- Chi Cubs is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs' last 5 games
- Chi Cubs is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Washington is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games
- Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
- Washington is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games at home
