MLB Predictions: To Strasburg or Not? 10/11/2017

Posted on October 11, 2017

MLB predictions Cubs Nationals game 4 is playing out to be one of the weirdest situations to ever occur in a baseball postseason. Washington was set to go with their Ace2.0 Stephen Strasburg in the eliminating game 4 of the NLDS against the Cubs. First the game was postponed but now it appears the Washington right-hander is going to miss the start because he inhaled too many mold fumes at his Chicago hotel. Nationals manager Dusty Baker was set to instead go with Tanner Roark on the mound but hold up – it appears Strasburg is now back in as starter.

Odds

Oddsmakers are scrambling with this uncertainty right before one of the biggest games of October so far. Chicago was -160 behind Jake Arrieta while Washington is a +145 if indeed Tanner Roark takes the bump. The Nationals at this point seem to have no idea who their starting pitcher is going to be – so how do bettors respond? All that uncertainty almost makes Chicago an even better wager.

Nationals

Washington is in an elimination situation for MLB predictions Cubs Nationals game 4 and could have Max Scherzer available for game 5 if they get back to DC. It looks like a good play if their ace Strasburg can take the mound as he struck out 10 Cubs batters in game one allowing only 3 Chicago hits. If Roark is not exposed to mold spores himself and indeed does make the start, he will be going on 10 days rest. Maybe that’s what the right-hander needed however as he lost his last two decisions of the regular season. The Cubs are hitting .215 against Roark, but .269 against Strasburg interestingly.

Cubs

Yesterday’s game was postponed due to rain and it’s another chilly afternoon in Chicago on Wednesday. This doesn’t bode well for Cubs starter Jake Arrieta who has battled hamstring issues down the stretch. To compound things Arrieta could be rusty, pitching only 10.1 innings in September and having not taken the mound since September 26th.

MLB Predictions Cubs Nationals Game 4

This game has ‘weird’ written all over it, from the weather to the starting pitcher situations, and more. In a matchup like this, you go with the consistency of the Cubs offense compared to Washington’s and the fact that the Cubs were able to enjoy an off day at their own homes yesterday instead of lounging around in a hotel or on Rush Street. Factor in the Wrigley crowd and the MLB predictions Cubs Nationals game 4 pick becomes more certain.