Washington Nationals vs Chicago Predictions July 17, 2023: MacKenzie Gore vs Drew Smyly
The total currently sits at 8
Game outlook
The total currently sits at 8 runs.
Cubs Struggle in Midst of NL Central Race: Derek Smyly to Start on Monday
The Chicago Cubs have experienced highs and lows this season with a record of 43-48 and seven games away from first place in the NL Central. Offensively, they score an average of 4.65 runs per game, ranking them twelfth in the MLB, with a .248 batting average and a .724 OPS, both seventeenth. They have also hit 100 home runs (20th) and stolen 70 bases (13th), yet it is their pitching staff that has steadily allowed a 4.04 ERA (13th) and a 1.26 WHIP (14th) along with 41 quality starts. For Monday, veteran left-hander Derek Smyly will step on the bump for the Cubs. In his last start, he was handed the loss after giving up four runs and six hits (two HRs) in four frames against the Yankees, a trend which has continued for the last three outings starting June 28. Smyly had previously pitched well when facing Washington earlier this season, limiting them to one run in seven frames.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are currently 37-56 this season with a power ranking of 27 and rank #22 in offense, averaging 4.20 runs per game, and #27 in defense, with an average of 5.11 points allowed per game. Prior to Sunday's game, they had won three of their last four games, but before the All-Star break, the Nats had been swept four games in a row by Cincinnati. Their .261 batting average ranks them 5th, and they have a .717 OPS (on-base plus slugging, a measure of overall batting performance) which is 19th. They have hit 80 home runs (28th) and stolen 55 bases (21st) this season and their pitching staff has a 4.81 ERA (27th) and 1.48 WHIP (28th) with 28 quality starts. Rookie left-hander CJ Abrams is scheduled to start Monday's series opener against the Chicago White Sox. His last outing was stopped due to rain and he gave up seven earned runs in his last start against Philadelphia, so he should be well-rested after the All-Star break.