Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction MLB Picks 9/19/24

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

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Washington Nationals will start Patrick Corbin here and Corbin is 6-13 with a 5.45 ERA and 132 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Cubs, Corbin is 0-1 with a 4.60 ERA and 26 strikeouts. Javier Assad will get the start for the Cubs here and is 7-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 116 strikeouts this season. This will be Assad’s second career start against the Nationals.

Washington Nationals Recap

The Washington Nationals come into this one looking to rebound after getting their butts kicked by the New York Mets in their series to start the week thanks to a sweep following a 10-0 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. The sweep meant that the Nats were unable to build on their series win over the Marlins from last weekend.

Nationals Enlisted To Play Spoiler Here

CJ Abrams has 129 hits along with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs to go along with 27 doubles, 6 triples, and 29 stolen bases. Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 131 hits including 25 doubles with 65 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Jacob Young has 32 stolen bases as well this season.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last seven Thursday night games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have won five of their last six road games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven Thursday night games against National League opponents.

Chicago Cubs Recap

The Chicago Cubs come into this game looking to bounce back from their series loss to the A’s to start the week after a 5-3 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. The loss made it back-to-back series losses for the Cubs after falling short against the Rockies last weekend. The Cubs will play against the Phillies and Reds following this series.

Cubs Playoff Hopes Fading

Cody Bellinger has 130 hits including 23 doubles, 18 home runs, and 70 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 148 hits, 32 doubles, and a .270 batting average. Michael Busch has 20 homers with 64 RBIs but has 156 strikeouts as well this season. Ian Happ also has a team-high 34 doubles with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs but also has 162 strikeouts this season. Seiya Suzuki also chipped in 20 homers and 68 RBIs along with 6 triples this season while Pete Crow-Armstrong has 6 triples and 27 stolen bases, only trailing Hoerner’s 29 stolen bags this year.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Nationals have lost each of their last 11 night games following a road loss.
• The home team has won each of the Nationals’ last six games.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games following a road loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in five of their last six games against the Nationals following a home loss.

Nationals vs. Cubs Prediction

I’m on the Cubs in this one. Corbin has been pitching extremely well lately, giving up two runs or less in five of his last six starts, but his last two wins came against a Marlins team that’s been one of the worst in baseball against lefties all year. The Cubs have been smacking left-handed pitching around in the last couple of weeks, hitting well over .300 against southpaws and I think the Cubs, still having something of consequence to play for here, are worth the play. Give me Chicago in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Chicago Cubs -192