As we prepare for another day of action in Major League Baseball, the Washington Nationals (68-85) will head to historic Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon to take on the opposing Chicago Cubs (78-75) in one of the most anticipated clashes of the season. Such a match is an opportunity for the Cubs to improve their position and has numerous wagering strategies and possibilities. Prepare yourselves for the best handicapper insights as we plunge into the specifics of this encounter.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs 9/20/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Friday, September 20, 2024, at 2:20 PM ET |
| Where: | Wrigley Field |
| Watch: | MLBN, MARQ, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Nationals odds: | +153 Moneyline |
| Cubs odds: | -182 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 8.5 |
Washington Nationals (68-85) vs. Chicago Cubs (78-75)
As reflected in their recent performances, the Washington Nationals arrive at this game bearing the brunt of a challenging season. The Nationals have struggled significantly in their recent outings, as highlighted by their last five games, where they managed only two wins against the Miami Marlins and faced harsh defeats against the New York Mets. This pattern underscores a team struggling to find consistency and effectiveness, especially in pitching and at-bat.
| Washington Nationals Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 18, 2024 | NYM | 0-10 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | NYM | 1-10 | Lose |
| Sep 16, 2024 | NYM | 1-2 | Lose |
| Sep 15, 2024 | MIA | 4-3 | Win |
| Sep 14, 2024 | MIA | 4-1 | Win |
On the flip side, the Chicago Cubs have shown a bit more resilience in their recent games. Despite a slight hiccup in their series against the Oakland Athletics, the Cubs have maintained a competitive edge, as seen in their successful outings against the Colorado Rockies. With an overall better season performance, the Cubs look poised to capitalize on their home advantage at Wrigley Field.
| Chicago Cubs Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 18, 2024 | OAK | 3-5 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | OAK | 3-4 | Lose |
| Sep 16, 2024 | OAK | 9-2 | Win |
| Sep 15, 2024 | COL | 6-2 | Win |
| Sep 14, 2024 | COL | 5-6 | Lose |
Trevor Williams (5-0, 2.22 ERA) vs. Jameson Taillon (10-8, 3.54 ERA)
The Nationals’ Trevor Williams has remained undefeated in his outings this season, with a 2.22 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP heading to this match. His control and efficiency in Terms of limit a hitters and run are some of the areas where Washington has been able to stand out. However, it is evident that Ragans will also refuse to give up such a crucial low era and whip figures which will be essential against a batting order such as that of the Cubs who are used to getting runs even in very close games
On the opposite end, for the Cubs, Jameson Taillon who has a record of ten wins and eight losses with an era of 3.54 on the other hand is both a fighter and a quitter. His experience over more innings pitched this season suggests a pitcher who can handle pressure but has at times choked and surrendered vital runs. It would appear that Taillon recording more ERA and WHIP figures than Williams will be significant issues to deal with especially considering there is very little scope for the Nationals to redeem themselves.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+118), Total Odds: 8.5
The Cubs are the obvious favorites according to the betting market, probably because they have the better regular season record and are excellent at home at Wrigley. The total line set at 8.5 with a lean towards the over supports the high scoring conditions the weaponry of both teams suggest given recent patterns of both teams.
Washington Nationals Betting Trends
The National League Central letdowns have been particularly sore in the recent matches, whereby their offense and defense have caused them much trouble. Their last 6 games against the Cubs have culminated in a 0-6 SU win which does not help any cause. However, where ‘Over’ occurred more frequently was in the games that they played.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
Chicago Cubs have been on top of their game, especially in their batting department which puts them in a much greater offensive level than what the Nationals pitching can deliver. The Cubs have been dominant in their last 8 games against the NL East opponents with a 7-1 SU record, something that perhaps remains in this matchup.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs 9/20/24 Betting Picks
As seen in the current trends and form of the teams, it would be hard for the Nationals to fight off the Cubs, most especially at Wrigley Field. Williams offers some hope to the Nationals to change the odds, but there are just too many factors in favor of the Cubs like their ability to score at will and the home-court advantage.
If you are scoring for MLB free picks today, the current odds suggest the most reasonable option is the Cubs win, in light of historical performance and the betting patterns. On the other hand, the over on total runs in this game looks more solid rather than giving out who among the teams will come out victorious, considering that both teams have been playing such high-scoring games recently.