The last time the Chicago Cubs played in Washington, D.C., they won a crazy Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS. The Cubbies look headed back to the playoffs, but the Nats are just playing out the string. Chicago is a Mybookie Sportsbook favorite for Friday’s matchup behind Jon Lester.
Trea Turner has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games dating to Aug. 21. During this stretch, he is 19-for-58 (.329) with two doubles, two homers, six RBI, seven walks, three stolen bases and 11 runs scored. Turner has not been held hitless in back-to-back games since Aug. 4-5. He leads the Nationals with 40 multi-hit games this season and his career-high 154 hits are sixth in the National League.
Right-hander Joe Ross makes his season debut here off Tommy John surgery. His last major league start was July 9, 2017, at home against the Braves. Ross has made six minor league rehab starts since August 6. The first three starts maxed out at three innings apiece. The last three starts with Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse have gone at least five innings each.
Ross will effectively take the rotation spot that briefly was held by Jefry Rodriguez, whom the Nationals moved to the bullpen for the duration of the season.
How to Bet Cubs vs Nationals MLB Odds & Game Info
David Bote has been known to do these things. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/Ct6e1mGusc
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) 7 de septiembre de 2018
- When: Friday, 7:05 PM ET
- Where: Nationals Park, Washington DC
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Jon Lester/Joe Ross
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: SiriusXM
- MLB Odds: Chicago Cubs -140 / Washington Nationals +120 (Total 9)
Why Bet on Chicago?
Will the Cubs have slugging left fielder Kyle Schwarber for this one? Schwarber tweaked his back and exited Wednesday’s win against the Brewers. Schwarber was able to homer in the win, but he apparently picked up an injury during a slide into third base earlier in the contest. He wasn’t in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener vs. Washington. Kris Bryant took his place in left field, but the Cubs have a few guys who can play there if Schwarber misses more time. Meanwhile, it appears Chicago will attempt to win its second World Series in three years without closer Brandon Morrow (he wasn’t on the first title team). Joe Maddon said Thursday that there is “barely” enough time for Morrow to return in 2018. Maddon also said that the Cubs would be “lucky” if the closer could return before the end of the season. He has yet to resume throwing off the mound. Pedro Strop has been closing. Since finding themselves 29-23 and 4.5-games behind Milwaukee in the N.L. Central Division when waking up on May 31, the Cubs have since gone 53-34 (.609) in their last 87 games (as of Thursday), a 99-win pace over 162 games, to make up 8.5 games in the standings over the second-place Brewers. They have played 4.0 games better than the third-place St. Louis Cardinals in this span. Following this 11-game road trip, the Cubs conclude the regular season with 13 of 19 games at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. It’s lefty Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53) on the mound. He makes his 29th start of the season and 15th on the road. He tossed 6.0 scoreless innings on Sunday at Philadelphia and improved to 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA (4 ER/23.2 IP) in his last four starts. Lester has gone 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA (20 ER/42.1 IP) in seven career starts vs. the Nationals. He allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 3.2 innings, August 11 of this season at Wrigley Field. Prior to that outing, had a 2.79 ERA (12 ER/38.2 IP) in his first six starts vs. Washington, all quality starts. He’s won 15 games this season for the eighth time in his career.Why Bet on Washington?
The Nationals helped the Cubs last month by trading former All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy to Chicago for next to nothing and Murphy has been fantastic. As of Thursday, Murphy was batting .316 in 13 games with the Cubs, to go along with four home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored. Could the Nats get All-Star closer Sean Doolittle back by Friday? Doolittle threw a simulated game on Wednesday. He is currently on the disabled list with a stress reaction in his right foot, but he told reporters that he felt “great” and expects to be activated this weekend. The southpaw has been excellent when healthy in 2018 with a 1.45 ERA and impressive 48/3 K/BB ratio in 37 1/3 innings accumulated over 35 appearances.
Trea Turner has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games dating to Aug. 21. During this stretch, he is 19-for-58 (.329) with two doubles, two homers, six RBI, seven walks, three stolen bases and 11 runs scored. Turner has not been held hitless in back-to-back games since Aug. 4-5. He leads the Nationals with 40 multi-hit games this season and his career-high 154 hits are sixth in the National League.
Right-hander Joe Ross makes his season debut here off Tommy John surgery. His last major league start was July 9, 2017, at home against the Braves. Ross has made six minor league rehab starts since August 6. The first three starts maxed out at three innings apiece. The last three starts with Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse have gone at least five innings each.
Ross will effectively take the rotation spot that briefly was held by Jefry Rodriguez, whom the Nationals moved to the bullpen for the duration of the season.
Latest Cubs vs Nationals MLB Betting Trends
- Cubs are 13-3 in Lester’s last 16 Friday starts
- Cubs are 17-4 in Lester’s last 21 road starts vs. a team with a losing record
- Nationals are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. National League Central
- Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter
- Chicago is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
- Chicago is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games
- Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 6 games
