Nationals vs. Cubs Prediction
The struggling Nationals will open a new series versus a Cubs team that has yet to find any traction to start the season. Will the Cubs take Game 1 of the series tonight when the two teams square off at 8:05 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
905 Washington Nationals (+125) at 906 Chicago Cubs (-145); o/u 8.5
8:05 p.m. ET, Monday, July 17, 2023
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Nationals vs. Cubs Public Betting Information
As of this writing, our MLB Public Betting Page shows that 72% of bets are on the Cubs’ moneyline. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Washington Nationals DFS SPIN
Keibert Ruiz picked up his 10th homer and his first stolen base Sunday versus the Cardinals. Ruiz was 6-for-7 stealing bases last year, but it took him 75 games to even attempt one this year. On the plus side, he now has three more homers this season than in 112 games last year. He’s been quite a disappointment otherwise, though it seems like a fair amount of bad luck has been involved. Still, between his .650 OPS and his poor framing, he’s been a liability for the Nationals
Chicago Cubs DFS SPIN
Mike Tauchman reached base all five times up Sunday, going 2-for-2 with three walks against the Red Sox. It’s too bad Tauchman’s defense in center field isn’t what it was a few years back, but he’s still been a nice player for the Cubs in hitting .248/.362/.352 in 175 plate appearances. Assuming that the Cubs decide to sell, some contender is going to want him as a fourth outfielder.
Nationals vs. Cubs MLB Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games when playing Washington
Nationals vs. Cubs MLB BETTING PREDICTION
While the Cubs have struggled in the absence of injured shortstop Dansby Swanson, I still like their chances of getting to Mackenzie Gore tonight. Gore is 4-7 with a 4.42 ERA on the season and is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in two career starts versus the Cubs. He also lost to Drew Smyly and Chicago on May 1 when he allowed four runs on seven hits in four-plus innings of work. The Nationals are also down Jeimer Candelario, who left Friday’s game versus the Cardinals with a bone bruise in his right thumb. They’ve lost seven out of their last 10 games, including an 8-4 decision versus the Cardinals on Sunday.
MLB BETTING PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -145