Cubs vs. Nationals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/9/2022

The Chicago Cubs (44-64) are -199 favorites when they play the Washington Nationals (36-75) on Tuesday at 8:05 PM ET. Nico Hoerner has 97 hits on the season and will hope to hit his milestone 100th once the game begins at Wrigley Field. Chicago’s Marcus Stroman and Washington’s Paolo Espino have been named the starters for this contest.

Cubs vs. Nationals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Cubs vs. Nationals

Our best bet is the Nationals on the moneyline at +166 after looking at all of the key stats and trends for this matchup. Our computer predicts the scoring will over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Washington Nationals (+166) and Over (8)

Cubs vs. Nationals Game Info

• Chicago Cubs probable starting pitcher: Marcus Stroman
• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Paolo Espino
• Game Day: Tuesday, August 9, 2022
• Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Stadium: Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Pitching Matchup

Cubs Starter Marcus Stroman

• Stroman (3-5 with a 4.00 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings pitched) makes the start for the Cubs, his 15th of the season.
• The righty last pitched on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs while giving up five hits.
• The 31-year-old has a 4.00 ERA and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 14 games this season, while giving up a batting average of .238 to opposing hitters.
• Stroman is trying to continue a third-game quality start streak in this matchup.
• Stroman will aim to go five or more innings for his fourth straight start. He’s averaging 5.1 frames per outing.
• He will face a Nationals offense that ranks 26th in the league with 421 runs while batting .247 as a squad. It has a collective .374 slugging percentage (26th in MLB play) and has hit a total of 88 home runs (28th in MLB).

Nationals Starter Paolo Espino

• Espino (0-4) will take the mound for the Nationals, his 11th start of the season.
• The right-hander gave up five earned runs and allowed seven hits in four innings pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
• The 35-year-old has pitched to a 4.20 ERA this season with 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 1.7 walks per nine across 30 games.
• In 10 starts this season, Espino has not yet earned a quality start.
• Espino has made three starts of five or more innings in 10 chances this season, and averages 2.1 frames when he pitches.
• The Cubs have scored 445 runs this season, which ranks 22nd in MLB. They are batting .242 for the campaign with 106 home runs, 19th in the league.

Cubs Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Cubs have won 14 out of the 32 games, or 43.8%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Chicago has played as a favorite of -199 or more once this season and won that game.
• The oddsmakers’ moneyline implies a 66.6% chance of a victory for the Cubs.
• Chicago’s games have gone over the total in 49 of their 110 chances.
• The Cubs have an ATS record of 56-54-0 in 110 games with a spread this season.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Nationals have won in 29, or 30.5%, of the 95 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• Washington has a win-loss record of 10-25 when favored by +166 or worse by sportsbooks this year.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Nationals have a 37.6% chance of walking away with the win.
• Washington and their opponents have hit the over in 55 of their 111 games with a total set by oddsmakers this season.
• The Nationals have an against the spread record of 46-65-0 in 111 games with a line this season.

Cubs Leaders & Batting Stats

• Willson Contreras has been stellar at getting on base for the Cubs this season, leading the squad with a .364 OBP and 87 hits.
• In all of MLB, Contreras ranks 42nd in homers and 96th in RBI.
• Ian Happ is hitting .274 with 28 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 44 walks.
• Happ ranks 143rd in homers and 82nd in RBI in the major leagues.
• Hoerner paces the Cubs with a .296 batting average.
• Patrick Wisdom has hit 20 home runs with 52 runs batted in. Both are team-highs.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Nelson Cruz has driven in the most runs for the Nationals with 52 runs batted in.
• Cruz’s home run total puts him 157th in the majors, and he ranks 52nd in RBI.
• Cruz has collected a hit in three games in a row. During his last five outings he is hitting .278 with three walks.
• Cesar Hernandez is batting .241 with 22 doubles, three triples and 34 walks.
• Hernandez ranks 398th overall in home runs and 244th in RBI this season.
• Luke Voit leads the Nationals with 15 long balls.
• Keibert Ruiz paces the Nationals with a team-leading batting average of .243.