The Washington Nationals (36-74) and Chicago Cubs (43-64) meet Monday at 8:05 p.m. ET to launch a 3-game series at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nationals vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs won 4 of 7 from the Nationals in 2021
The Nationals have struggled mightily of late. Washington has been outscored 45-17 in losing 5 straight games. The Nats are just 7-26 with a bloated 5.92 ERA in their last 33 games.
The Cubs got off to a good start in the 2nd half, but they head into this game coming off a 3-0 Sunday loss and a 2-6 mark in their last 8 games. Chicago has played well at home lately. The Cubs own a 2.77 ERA and an 11-9 record in their last 20 games at Wrigley.
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Nationals at Cubs projected starters
RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Keegan Thompson
Sanchez (0-4, 7.65 ERA) is making his 5th start after missing all of 2021 and the front half of this season with a neck injury. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 20 IP.
- Owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 6 career starts at Wrigley Field
- Has allowed a career home-runs-per-9 rate of 1.06, but early on has coughed up 2.70 HR/9 in 2022.
Thompson (8-5, 3.48 ERA) has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 through 93 IP in 22 games (14 as a starter).
- Has appeared in 20 career games as a starter, posting a 4.54 ERA on an .810 OPS allowed. Has logged 34 games in relief, notching a 2.00 ERA on a .620 OPS.
- Allowed 5 runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 IP in his last start Tuesday at the St. Louis Cardinals).
Nationals at Cubs odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:04 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nationals +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Cubs -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-130) | Cubs -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Nationals at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Nationals 3
Money line
The Cubs (playing well at home, starter matchup, bullpen) are a lean, but look for a price of -185 or better.
Otherwise, STEER CLEAR.
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Run line/Against the spread
Washington is 1-9 across its last 10 series openers. The 9 losses have been by a combined 49 runs. And overall, the Nats play in few 1-run games.
The run line play on the home 9 is worth half a unit. BACK THE CUBS -1.5 (+105).
Over/Under
A cooled-off inward breeze is tamping this total down, but the price on the OVER 7.5 (-120) is workable.
Both offenses have some growth potential in run scoring based on their quality of contact and support analytics.
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