Cubs vs. Nationals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/17/2022

The Chicago Cubs (48-67) are -159 favorites to take Game 3 of th series from the Washington Nationals (39-79) Wednesday at 1:05 PM ET. The teams enter the matchup with the series record tied, and the underdog Nationals are listed with +135 odds to win the rubber match and take the series victory. Drew Smyly will get the ball for Chicago while Washington counter with Cory Abbott.

Cubs vs. Nationals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Cubs vs. Nationals

After looking at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup, our best bet is the Nationals on the moneyline at +135. Our computer picks see the scoring going over the total of 9 runs.

Our computer pick: Washington Nationals (+135) and Over (9)

Cubs vs. Nationals Game Info

• Chicago Cubs probable starting pitcher: Drew Smyly
• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Cory Abbott
• Game Day: Wednesday, August 17, 2022
• Game Time: 1:05 PM ET
• Location: Washington D.C.
• Stadium: Nationals Park

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Pitching Matchup

Cubs Starter Drew Smyly

• Smyly makes the start for the Cubs, his 16th of the season. He is 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings pitched.
• His most recent time out was on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, when the lefty threw five scoreless innings while giving up four hits.
• The 33-year-old has an ERA of 3.69, with 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings, in 15 games this season. Opponents have a .262 batting average against him.
• Smyly is looking to record his third quality start of the year.
• Smyly will look to last five or more innings for his third straight appearance. He’s averaging 4.2 innings per outing.
• He will face off against a Nationals offense that is hitting .249 as a unit (12th in MLB). It is also slugging a collective .376 (24th in MLB) with 98 total home runs (28th in MLB).

Nationals Starter Cory Abbott

• Abbott (0-2) will take the mound for the Nationals, his fourth start of the season.
• The right-hander’s last start was on Friday, when he tossed four innings while giving up three earned runs on four hits in a matchup with the San Diego Padres.
• The 26-year-old has pitched to a 5.94 ERA this season with 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 5.9 walks per nine across six games.
• In three starts, Abbott has pitched through or past the fifth inning one time. He has a season average of 2.2 frames per outing.
• The Cubs rank 21st in MLB with 481 runs scored this season. They have a .245 batting average this campaign with 117 home runs (16th in the league).

Cubs Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Cubs have won 16 out of the 37 games, or 43.2%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Chicago has entered nine games this season favored by -159 or more and is 5-4 in those contests.
• Oddsmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Cubs have a 61.4% chance to win.
• Chicago and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 53 of their 117 opportunities.
• In 117 games with a spread this season, the Cubs are 60-57-0 ATS.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Nationals have been victorious in 32, or 31.4%, of the 102 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season.
• Washington has a mark of 21-45 in contests where sportsbooks favor them by +135 or worse on the moneyline.
• Sportsbooks have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Nationals have a 42.6% chance of pulling out a win.
• Washington and their opponents have gone over in 59 of their 118 games with a total set by sportsbooks this season.
• In 118 games with a line this season, the Nationals have a mark of 49-69-0 against the spread.

Cubs Leaders & Batting Stats

• Ian Happ is batting .281 with 30 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 46 walks.
• Happ is 95th in home runs and 62nd in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Willson Contreras has 21 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 40 walks while batting .247.
• Contreras is 41st in home runs and 93rd in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Nico Hoerner paces the Cubs with a .306 batting average.
• Hoerner has at least one base hit in three games in a row. During his last five outings he is batting .421 with four doubles, four walks and two RBI.
• Patrick Wisdom’s 21 home runs and 55 runs batted in are both team-highs.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Nelson Cruz has driven in the most runs for the Nationals with 57 runs batted in.
• In all of the big leagues, Cruz is 153rd in homers and 47th in RBI.
• Cruz has collected a hit in three games in a row. During his last five outings he is batting .375 with a double, a home run, a walk and five RBI.
• Cesar Hernandez has a club-best .247 batting average.
• Among all MLB hitters, Hernandez ranks 402nd in homers and 236th in RBI.
• Keibert Ruiz is batting .244 with 18 doubles, six home runs and 25 walks.
• Luke Voit has swatted a team-high 16 long balls.