ODDS ANALYSIS
With all the exciting, young talent the Cubs have there can, and will, be growing pains as the group learns to play at the big league level.
The Cubs have scored more than three runs just four times in their last 14 games going 6-8 on the moneyline in that span and cashing the under 10 times.
The pitching has been better than expected and the under is 5-2-3 in Jake Arrieta’s 10 starts this season. Be careful when wagering the runline with the Cubs as they’ve been a disaster. The Cubs are 20-30 through their first 50 games in the red 10.03 units.
Everybody expected the Nats to run away with the NL East after taking two of three in Chicago last week gave them 21 wins in 27 games. The Nats were up 1.05 units in the Cubs series with all three games playing below the scoreline. But not so fast anointing the Nats division champs. Following the Cubs series they were swept in Cincinnati and split their first two with Toronto on this homestand. Washington has cashed the over in four of Gio Gonzalez’s last five starts.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Jake Arrieta (4-4, 3.18 ERA) served up three home runs in his last outing, the first time he’s done that since Sept. 13, 2013 getting a no-decision in a loss to the Royals on Friday. He allowed four runs on eight hits with five punchouts and no walks in seven innings. After posting a 2.03 ERA in April, he went 1-3 with a 3.99 ERA in six May starts.
Arrieta’s given up 10 hits with 14 strikeouts over 13 innings in two career starts at Nationals Park without a decision. He tossed six innings of one-run ball with five K’s at Washington on July 6, 2014.
Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 4.73 ERA) struggled at times taking a no-decision in an 8-5 loss to the Reds on Saturday. He allowed two runs in the first five innings but had problems getting outs in the bottom of the sixth after he was hit by a pitch in the top of the frame. He departed with the lead however the bullpen failed to hold it.
Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 2.39 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 37.2 innings in six career starts against the Cubs. He allowed four hits with seven strikeouts over eight shutout innings in a 13-0 win in his last outing against Chicago on July 5, 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I’ve said it all along. I really believe we can play with anybody. I’m not just trying to stretch that. I’m not trying to sell anybody a bill of goods. I really believe that we can.” – Cubs manager Joe Maddon
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Cubs have lived up to the preseason hype and are a pleasant surprise for the league and their hungry fans. Even with that, this is still a flawed team that good pitchers and pitching staffs can exploit. Chicago hitters lead the majors in strikeouts which in turn has produced just a .223 average with runners in scoring position. They have committed 43 errors through 49 games and their bullpen has blown eight saves. However, the Cubs improved to 14-10 in one-run games with Sunday’s 2-1 win over Kansas City.
PROP TALK
Despite all the attention given to Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, centerfielder Dexter Fowler makes the Cubs offense go. His average is down a bit this season but Fowler is the prototypical leadoff hitter with excellent speed and some pop to go with it. Fowler hits lefties well and has had success in Nationals Park with 18 hits and a .333 average. He’s done even better against Gio Gonzalez with five hits in 11 career at-bats against the Nats southpaw and collected three hits scoring three runs in the first two games against the Marlins. Fowler reaches base and scores a few runs ahead of the above mentioned sluggers.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Nationals have cooled off a bit following a 21-6 run that vaulted them to the top of the NL East standings and validated what all the experts were saying before the season started. But they must deal with some injuries to key players now that Stephen Strasburg and Jayson Werth went to the DL. And Bryce Harper can’t continue to carry the club like he did last month.
The Cubs are lurking and should only get better as their youngsters continue to develop at the big league level. That’s the plan at least. In the meantime their solid starting pitching will carry them through what will be an exciting summer. Jake Arrieta hasn’t been as sharp his last few outings, but he’s been better than Gio Gonzalez.
Chicago 4, Washington 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
