Chicago Cubs vs
Washington NationalsPredictions & Preview

Chicago Cubs Favored to Win Over Washington Nationals in National League Showdown.

The Chicago Cubs (68-66) are set to face off against the Washington Nationals (61-73) at Nationals Park in National League action. Both teams had a day off on Thursday and will be well-rested for the series. The Cubs will have rookie left-hander Shota Imanaga on the mound, with a 3.08 ERA, while the Nationals will start young righty Jake Irvin, who has a 3.8 ERA. Chicago opens as the betting favorite at -159, with the current line at Chicago -160.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs -160 | Nationals +145
• Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+100) | Nationals +1.5 (-118)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 62%.

Chicago vs Washington Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have shown potential this season as they compete for a spot in the postseason, currently sitting second in the NL Central standings. Offensively, the team has a .239/.315/.394 slash line and averages 4.48 runs per game with 144 total home runs. Right fielder Seiya Suzuki has been a standout player with a .843 OPS and 19 home runs. Rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga has a 10-3 record with a 3.08 ERA and has been effective in limiting hitters to a .234 batting average against. The Cubs are ranked 15th in offense, 11th in defense, and have a record of 68-66 this season. They seem to have the talent needed to turn their season around and secure a playoff spot.

Washington Nationals Analysis

The Washington Nationals have faced challenges this season, currently ranking fourth in the NL East and 12.0 games behind for the NL Wild Card. Their offense has been decent, ranking 22nd with a .690 team OPS and scoring 4.22 runs per game. The team has excelled in stolen bases, with 187 steals so far. Second baseman Luis Garcia has been a standout player with a .290/.326/.451 slash line, 15 home runs, 63 RBI, and 21 steals. The Nationals have the potential for success but need to improve their hitting. Pitcher Jake Irvin has performed well, with a 9-10 record, 3.80 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP in 27 starts. In their upcoming game, the Nationals will face the Chicago Cubs, who have a power ranking of 20 and are ranked 21st in offense, averaging 4.21 runs per game. In their last three matchups, Chicago went 1-2 against Washington.

Shota Imanaga's Strong August Performance Points to Chicago Cubs Victory

When analyzing the performance of starting pitchers in August, Shota Imanaga stands out with a record of 2-1, a 3.52 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP in 30.2 innings over five starts. In comparison, Jake Irvin holds a record of 1-2, a 5.46 ERA, and a .306 opposing batting average in 28.0 innings across five starts. The offensive capabilities of the Cubs and Nationals post-All-Star break differ significantly, with the Cubs averaging 5.14 runs in 36 games and the Nationals averaging 4.41 runs in 37 games. Based on these factors, the likely winner of the game would be the Chicago Cubs.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]