As we approach the climax of the MLB season, the game between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs on a sunny Sunday at Wrigley Field will be considered a crucial one in the context of the two teams’ seasons. It is a battle of willpower, and for those who are serious about betting, this game marks one of the most important periods fueled by expert paid selections. The season has not been smooth sailing for both teams, as seen in their almost parallel positions in the table and recent form.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs 9/22/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 2:20 PM ET |
| Where: | Wrigley Field |
| Watch: | MARQ, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Nationals odds: | +181 Moneyline |
| Cubs odds: | -217 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 8.5 |
Washington Nationals (69-86) vs. Chicago Cubs (79-76)
The Washington Nationals have been struggling to find consistent form, as evidenced by their recent game outcomes. Their batting average stands at .242 with a slugging percentage of .376, factors that have contributed to their less-than-stellar win-loss record. In their last five outings, the Nationals recorded a rare win against the Cubs (5-1) but suffered four losses, including heavy defeats to the New York Mets, showcasing their struggles both on the mound and at bat.
| Washington Nationals Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 21, 2024 | CHC | 5-1 | Win |
| Sep 20, 2024 | CHC | 1-3 | Lose |
| Sep 19, 2024 | CHC | 6-7 | Lose |
| Sep 18, 2024 | NYM | 0-10 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | NYM | 1-10 | Lose |
Conversely, the Chicago Cubs hold a slight edge in batting with a .243 average and have proven more potent in power hitting, boasting 164 home runs to the Nationals’ 129. Their recent form shows a balance of results against Nationals and Athletics; they have won three of their last five games, including tight contests against the Nationals. Notably, their resilience at Wrigley Field has been a crucial factor this season.
| Chicago Cubs Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 21, 2024 | WSH | 1-5 | Lose |
| Sep 20, 2024 | WSH | 3-1 | Win |
| Sep 19, 2024 | WSH | 7-6 | Win |
| Sep 18, 2024 | OAK | 3-5 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | OAK | 3-4 | Lose |
Jake Irvin (10-12, 4.07 ERA) vs. Shota Imanaga (14-3, 3.03 ERA)
Jake Irvin has had a rocky season, as evidenced by his 10-12 win-loss record and his 4.07 earned run average. In spite of these factors, he has succeeded in maintaining at least a marginally respectable WHIP of 1.17 over a span of 179.1 innings. Irvin has also posted 150 strikeouts this season while walking only 45 batters which tells us that he can dominate the games but given up 26 bombs he could be in trouble against a power-hitting Cubs team.
However, Shota Imanaga is completely different. As convincing as it sounds with impressive 14-3, 3.03 ERA records, his pitching skill cannot be disputed. He has emphasized command as well, having managed to fan 170 batters while walking only 28 over the course of 166.1 innings. With this, few will have been able to hit the ball out of the stadium as well as Imanaga and yet have a WHIP of just 1.03 on this hot streak that would be a nightmare to any lineup, most especially one that is reeling like the Nationals.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Cubs -217, Total Odds: 8.5
It is not surprising that the current betting odds are skewed in the Cubs’ favor in this matchup, with the moneyline of -217 indicating a high degree of confidence in them winning at home. This total line suggests a low-scoring match, the overs have also been reasonably well-received but not entirely convincing, especially in light of recent trends and pitching matchups.
Washington Nationals Betting Trends
However, things have not been very rosy for the Nationals of late, in fact, there is cause for concern as they are 1 and 5 SU in their last six and have also performed poorly against the Cubs. This is made worse by fair-away performance and faring worse against NL teams making it harder to establish winning streaks.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The betting trends for the Cubs provide a more cheerful picture, especially after prevailing in most of Wrigley Field’s recent engagements. The fact that they tend to win close games and cover spreads and most OVER totals have been on National League opponents could work in favour of over bettors.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs 9/22/24 Betting Picks
This disparity in team approach and functionality of individual players points to the fact that it is the Cubs who are likely to come out on top in this pairing. Considering that the Cubs are quite strong when playing at home and that the Nationals have had their issues in virtually all matchups away from their comforts, the expectation is what is left is for you to go ahead and place a bet on another Cubs win at home. Furthermore, the type of pitching that Shota Imanaga has maintained this season offers quite strong support for the option in this case.
As for wagering, choosing the Cubs in relation to the spread looks to be a rather safe option. For those interested in over/under bets, the pitcher’s duel indicates that there is the potential to make a profit from the under. Nonetheless, putting a close inspection or focus on some of those inning-specific plays or the total strikeouts might present some extra betting options as well. Get maximum benefit from our keen and well-prepared free MLB matchup analysis.