Cubs, Nationals meet in battle of MLB titans
In the day’s marquee matchup on the diamond, which side will blink first between the MLB-best Cubs and NL East-leading Nationals?
The two powerhouses kick off a four-game set tonight, with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv prefer Joe Maddon’s team in a tight one. Despite an emphatic victory roughly 24 hours ago, Washington enters as a +128 underdog.
Chicago, of course, has fashioned nothing but authoritative performances since April 4. At 20-6, the franchise is off to its finest start in more than a century. The Cubs polished off a sweep in Pittsburgh with a 6-2 triumph Wednesday afternoon. They’re now six ahead of the second-place Pirates in the NL Central race.
The Nationals’ early-season results have been similarly impressive. Dusty Baker’s group boasts an 11-4 record away from the nation’s capital and the senior circuit’s leading hitter. Daniel Murphy’s up to .398 on the year, while Bryce Harper’s slash line remains stout at . 266/.372/.649.
MLB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Washington’s pitching, though, continues to elevate the group above the rest of the pack. Joe Ross (3-0, 0.79 ERA) draws this evening’s assignment, and foes are hitting just .195 against him. The righty allowed one run in six innings of a 6-1 win in St. Louis last weekend.
Maddon responds with Kyle Hendricks (1-2, 3.91), who won’t make anyone forget Jake Arrieta. The sinkerball specialist did craft a solid outing in his most recent turn vs. Milwaukee, though, yielding one run across five frames. He’s 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two career appearances against the Nats.
We actually like the visitors to jump on Hendricks and put the Cubbies in the unfamiliar position of playing from behind. Ross shouldn’t have to contend with Jason Heyward, either, who remains limited by a sore wrist. Look for the offense to dissipate, though, as the tilt progresses.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: NATIONALS +1.5
Want More Picks, Predictions & Odds From The Spread.com? Follow on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!