Cubs vs. Nationals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/15/2022

The Washington Nationals (38-78) enter Monday’s matchup with the Chicago Cubs (47-66) following their 1-2 series defeat to the Padres. The Cubs, coming off of a series win against the Reds, are listed as -140 favorites for Game 1. The series begins at Nationals Park, starting at 7:05 PM ET. Marcus Stroman takes the mound for Chicago while Josiah Gray is Washington’s starter for the contest.

Cubs vs. Nationals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Cubs vs. Nationals

Our best bet is the Nationals on the moneyline at +118 after taking a look at all of the key trends and statistics for this matchup. Our computer predicts the total score will over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Washington Nationals (+118) and Over (8)

Cubs vs. Nationals Game Info

• Chicago Cubs probable starting pitcher: Marcus Stroman
• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Josiah Gray
• Game Day: Monday, August 15, 2022
• Game Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Location: Washington D.C.
• Stadium: Nationals Park

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Pitching Matchup

Cubs Starter Marcus Stroman

• Stroman (3-5 with a 4.20 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Cubs, his 16th of the season.
• His most recent appearance was on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, when the righty tossed five innings, surrendering four earned runs while giving up five hits.
• The 31-year-old has a 4.20 ERA and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings across 15 games this season, while allowing a batting average of .239 to his opponents.
• Stroman is trying to collect his seventh quality start of the year in this matchup.
• Stroman will look to build on a five-game streak of going five or more innings (he’s averaging 5.1 innings per appearance).
• The opposing Nationals offense has the 25th-ranked slugging percentage (.375) and is 28th in MLB play with 95 home runs. It has a collective .248 batting average, and is 11th in MLB with 960 total hits and 26th in MLB play scoring 438 runs.
• Stroman has pitched five innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits while striking out six against the Nationals this season.

Nationals Starter Josiah Gray

• Gray (7-8) will take the mound for the Nationals, his 22nd start of the season.
• The right-hander gave up two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched on Wednesday in his last outing, a matchup with the Chicago Cubs.
• The 24-year-old has pitched in 21 games this season with an ERA of 4.81 and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .235.
• He has started 21 games this season, earning a quality start (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER) in seven of them.
• Gray has 18 starts of five or more innings this season in 21 chances. He averages 5.1 innings per outing.
• The Cubs rank 14th in MLB with a .245 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks 15th in the league (.394) and 114 home runs.
• The Cubs have gone 7-for-25 with a double, a home run and two RBI in one game against the right-hander this season.

Cubs Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Cubs have won 15 out of the 35 games, or 42.9%, in which they’ve been favored.
• This season, Chicago has won eight of its 18 games, or 44.4%, when favored by at least -140 on the moneyline.
• The oddsmakers’ moneyline implies a 58.3% chance of a victory for the Cubs.
• Chicago’s games have gone over the total in 51 of their 115 chances.
• The Cubs are 59-56-0 against the spread this season.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Nationals have been underdogs in 100 games this season and have come away with the win 31 times (31%) in those contests.
• This season, Washington has been victorious 23 times in 80 chances when named as an underdog of at least +118 or longer on the moneyline.
• The Nationals have an implied victory probability of 45.9% according to the moneyline set by sportsbooks for this matchup.
• Contests with Washington have gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 57 of 116 chances this season.
• The Nationals have posted a record of 48-68-0 against the spread this season.

Cubs Leaders & Batting Stats

• Willson Contreras is outstanding at finding his way aboard when he’s at the plate. Contreras leads the Cubs this season with a .365 OBP and 90 hits.
• Among all hitters in the majors, Contreras’ home run total places him 40th, and his RBI tally puts him 99th.
• Ian Happ is hitting .279 with 30 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 45 walks.
• Happ ranks 134th in homers and 65th in RBI among all major league batters this year.
• Happ enters this game looking for his seventh game in a row with a hit. During his last 10 games he is hitting .308 with five doubles, a home run, three walks and six RBI.
• Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a team-high batting average of .302.
• Patrick Wisdom’s 21 home runs and 54 runs batted in both pace his team.
• Wisdom has recorded at least one hit in three games in a row. During his last five outings he is batting .294 with a home run, a walk and two RBI.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Nelson Cruz has put up a team-high 53 runs batted in.
• Cruz’s home run total puts him 163rd in MLB, and he is 63rd in RBI.
• Cesar Hernandez is hitting .243 with 23 doubles, three triples and 35 walks.
• Hernandez is 402nd among all hitters in MLB in homers, and 234th in RBI.
• Keibert Ruiz leads the Nationals with a team-high batting average of .245.
• Luke Voit has swatted a team-high 15 long balls.