Nationals at Cubs Over 8 1/2 minus $1.15
It’s always good to hear that the wind is blowing out when getting involved in an Over at Wrigley Field. But there are other factors that point to at least nine runs being scored in today’s Nationals-Cubs matchup.
Like the starting pitchers.
Lefty MacKenzie Gore gets the call for Washington. Gore isn’t so promising anymore. He has an 8.00 ERA in his last three starts. Gore hasn’t been good for a while now as going back through his last seven starts he has a 5.97 ERA. Gore has made two career starts versus the Cubs. Those didn’t go well. He’s 0-2 with a 7.00 lifetime ERA against the Cubs.
The Cubs rank in the top-11 in batting average and on-base percentage versus left-handed pitching.
Gore can’t expect any bullpen help either. Washington’s best reliever, Hunter Henry, has been out with a forearm injury. The Nationals rank 30th in bullpen ERA at 5.15.
The Nationals, though, should do damage against southpaw Drew Smyly and a Chicago bullpen that ranks 19th in ERA at 4.19.
Washington is averaging 6.4 runs in its last five games. Smyly’s current form is terrible with an 11.12 ERA in his past three starts. The Nationals have the fourth-highest batting average against lefty pitchers and seventh-highest on-base percentage versus southpaws.
The forecast is for wind blowing out at seven-to-eight mph.
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