MLB Predictions: Will Strasburg lead Nationals to win vs. Cubs? 6/28/17
Will Stephen Strasburg lead the Nationals to a win tonight against the Cubs at 7:05PM ET in D.C.?
The Odds: Cubs vs. Nationals, 7:05PM ET, Nationals Park
According to oddsmakers, Washington is -175 money line favorites to win tonight at home. That makes Chicago a +145 money line underdog to pull off the upset. The total, meanwhile, is sat 8.5 runs after the number opened at 8.
Chicago enters play tonight with a 39-38 record and is 17-22 on the road. Still, the Cubs have won six of their last 10 games, which bests the Nationals’ mark of 5-5 over their last 10 contests. Washington is 46-31 on the year and 21-16 at home this season.
The Pitching Matchup: John Lackey (CHC) vs. Stephen Strasburg (WAS)
Lackey owns a 4.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. That said, he has had a decent June despite his 1-3 record. In 30 innings this month, he owns a 3.90 ERA while allowing 14 runs (13 earned) on 22 hits. Home runs have been a major problem for the veteran, however, has he allowed 21 long balls in 87 1/3 innings of work.
As for Strasburg, he has yet to complete the sixth inning in any of his last three starts. Over that span, he has allowed 13 runs, four home runs and 21 hits. Still, he’s 8-2 on the year and owns a 3.57 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.
Our Prediction
The Cubs are just 2-5 in Lackey’s last seven starts and have dropped four of his last five outings following a quality start in his last appearance. Chicago has also dropped 14 of its last 20 road games and is 1-6 in its last seven games versus a team with a winning record.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 41-11 in Strasburg’s last 52 starts. They’re also 38-17 in Strasburg’s last 55 home starts. Furthermore, the club has won five of its last seven games against an opponent that owns a winning record.
Wednesday MLB Prediction: Washington Nationals -1.5 (+125)
