Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction 8/13/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals meet Thursday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Chicago Cubs will send out Kevin Gausman for the start here and Gausman is 6-10 with a 4.29 ERA and 131 strikeouts this season. Cade Cavalli will start for Washington here and is 9-5 with a 3.57 ERA and 141 strikeouts this season.

Chicago Cubs Recap

The Chicago Cubs come into this game looking to add on to their 12-6 win over the Nationals from Wednesday to improve to 71-50 this season. After this series, the Cubs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a series at home.

Cubs Win 8 Of Last 9

Ian Happ has 93 hits with 22 doubles and 20 home runs and 51 RBIs while Alex Bregman has 120 hits with 23 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 61 RBIs. Nico Hoerner’s added 124 hits with 26 doubles, 7 home runs and 56 RBIs. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s also added 130 hits with 24 doubles, 7 triples, 27 home runs and 73 RBIs as well on the year. Carson Kelly has also contributed 74 hits with 11 doubles, 7 home runs and 43 RBIs. Michael Busch has 112 hits wtih 20 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBIs. Dansby Swanson also has 86 hits with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs.

Washington Nationals Recap

The Washington Nationals come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss at the hands of the Cubs on Wednesday to sit at 59-63 this season. After this series, the Nationals will head on the road for a series against the New York Mets.

Nationals Drop Back-To-Back Games

James Wood has 116 hits with 26 doubles, 30 home runs and 73 RBIs while CJ Abrams has 127 hits with 23 doubles, 29 home runs and 91 RBIs. Daylen Lile has 113 hits with 23 doubles, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs. Jacob Young has 81 hits with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs while Nasim Nunez has 80 hits with 3 triples and 34 RBIs.

The Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: August 13, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Cade Cavalli      Record this season: 9-5      ERA: 3.57
• Home Record: 4-2
• Last 5 against Cubs: 0-0

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have lost each of their last three day games against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last three day games against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home day games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kevin Gausman      Record this season: 6-10      ERA: 4.29
• Road Record: 3-5
• Last 5 against Nationals: 3-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last 14 games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have lost nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last nine road games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in three of their last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against the Nationals.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in 13 of their last 16 day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Nationals’ last nine day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four games as favorites against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last eight Thursday games against National League opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four day games between the Cubs and Nationals at Nationals Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit at least one home run in three of the Nationals’ last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Cade Cavalli has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances.
• Cade Cavalli has recorded six or more strikeouts in five of his last six home appearances against NL opponents.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 appearances in day games.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (40) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Alex Bregman has hit at least one home run in four of the Cubs’ last five games as road favorites against NL opponents.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against the Nationals.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded five or more strikeouts in 14 of his last 15 appearances with his team as a road favorite against NL opponents.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine games against NL opponents.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 5th in the league in Steals (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (655).
• The Nationals rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (176).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for on-base percentage this season (.340).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (519).

Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Prediction

I’m backing the Cubs here. Gausman was impressive in his Cubs debut and I think he can have a solid showing here against a Nationals team that has been very hit or miss as of late, and the Cubs’ bats have been there to back him up. On the other side, Cavalli may have issues here navigating the Cubs’ lineup and I just don’t trust this Nationals bullpen either. Give me Chicago.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Chicago Cubs -145