Cubs vs Nationals Preview, Odds, Trends, & Free Pick – [6/26/17]

Chicago Cubs (38-37) at Washington (45-30)
When: Monday, June 26th 2017
Where: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: MLB Network
Opening Odds: Washington -145/9.5

Open an Account at Bovada Sportsbook Now! Sign up at Bovada.lv to get a $250 Signup Bonus to bet MLB Baseball odds and props!

The Chicago Cubs continue their 11-game road trip with the first of four in the Nation’s Capital when they take on the first place Washington Nationals on Monday night. Regional coverage on MLB Network begins at 7:00 ET. While the Nationals own a comfortable lead in the NL East, the defending champion Cubs have been hovering around .500 all year and are 1.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Central. The offense has been a concern for the Cubs as they rank 29th in Major League Baseball with a .240 batting average and Fall’s postseason hero Kyle Schwarber has been demoted to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs could be without short stop Addison Russell on Monday as he left Sunday’s 4-2 loss in Miami with right shoulder discomfort. Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo, one of the team’s hottest hitters of late, is 2-for-20 with six strikeouts against tonight’s starter Gio Gonzalez. The Cubs left 31 runners on base while splitting a four-game series at Miami over the weekend, including 11 stranded runners in Sunday’s setback. Washington is first in the majors in runs scored (5.65) after collecting 26 runs in a three-game series win (2-1) over Cincinnati this past weekend. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy is 13-for-36 during a nine-game hitting streak.

Pitchers: Cubs – Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.19 ERA) | Nationals – Gio Gonzalez (7-1, 2.96)

Eddie Butler will make his ninth start of the season and he hasn’t made it through six innings since his first start on May 12th at St. Louis. He allowed only one run and five hits Wednesday against San Diego, but he ran up a high pitch count and left without recording an out in the fifth. Butler has faced the Nationals only once, allowing four runs over six innings in a loss in 2015.

Gonzalez is having his best season since he won 21 games in 2012 and is on his way to an eighth straight season with double-digit wins. He has won his last four decisions with his last loss coming May 8th at Baltimore. Gonzalez has five consecutive quality starts and is coming off a win at Miami in which he allowed three runs and six hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts. Gonzalez is 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in nine starts against the Cubs.

[ad id=’36449′]

It’s hard to against the Cubs, but they’re really struggling this year and might be without one of their best hitters in Russell. Don’t expect Rizzo to continue his hot play as Gonzalez has owned him. I like Washington a lot in this one, but will just take the moneyline.

Pick: Nationals -150

W/L TRENDS

Chi. Cubs
  • Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
  • Cubs are 6-0 in their last 6 games following a loss.
  • Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
  • Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Cubs are 35-17 in their last 52 Monday games.
  • Cubs are 5-13 in their last 18 road games.
  • Cubs are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Cubs are 1-5 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
  • Cubs are 0-5 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Cubs are 4-0 in Butler’s last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Washington
  • Nationals are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss.
  • Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Nationals are 8-3 in their last 11 during game 1 of a series.
  • Nationals are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
  • Nationals are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Nationals are 14-6 in their last 20 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Nationals are 4-0 in Gonzalez’s last 4 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Nationals are 6-1 in Gonzalez’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Nationals are 12-3 in Gonzalez’s last 15 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
  • Nationals are 4-1 in Gonzalez’s last 5 starts.
  • Nationals are 4-1 in Gonzalez’s last 5 starts on grass.
  • Nationals are 11-5 in Gonzalez’s last 16 Monday starts.
  • Nationals are 4-9 in Gonzalez’s last 13 starts with 5 days of rest.
  • Nationals are 2-9 in Gonzalez’s last 11 starts vs. National League Central.

OU TRENDS

Chi. Cubs
  • Under is 4-0-1 in Cubs last 5 Monday games.
  • Under is 8-1 in Cubs last 9 overall.
  • Under is 8-1 in Cubs last 9 on grass.
  • Under is 7-1-1 in Cubs last 9 during game 1 of a series.
  • Under is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Under is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 road games.
  • Under is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Under is 6-2 in Cubs last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Under is 9-3 in Cubs last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
  • Under is 9-4 in Cubs last 13 games following a loss.
  • Under is 5-1 in Butler’s last 6 starts on grass.
  • Under is 5-1 in Butler’s last 6 starts overall.
Washington
  • Over is 4-0 in Nationals last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Over is 6-0 in Nationals last 6 games following a loss.
  • Over is 4-0 in Nationals last 4 during game 1 of a series.
  • Under is 4-0 in Nationals last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Over is 8-1 in Nationals last 9 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
  • Over is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
  • Over is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
  • Over is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 home games.
  • Over is 10-3 in Nationals last 13 overall.
  • Over is 10-3 in Nationals last 13 on grass.
  • Over is 20-7-1 in Nationals last 28 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 8-3-1 in Nationals last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Over is 8-3 in Nationals last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
  • Over is 5-2 in Nationals last 7 Monday games.
  • Over is 7-3 in Nationals last 10 vs. National League Central.
  • Over is 21-10-1 in Nationals last 32 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Under is 5-0 in Gonzalez’s last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
  • Under is 4-0 in Gonzalez’s last 4 home starts.
  • Over is 5-1 in Gonzalez’s last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
  • Over is 10-2-1 in Gonzalez’s last 13 starts vs. National League Central.
  • Over is 8-2 in Gonzalez’s last 10 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
  • Over is 7-2-1 in Gonzalez’s last 10 Monday starts.
  • Over is 24-8 in Gonzalez’s last 32 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.

HEAD TO HEAD

  • Cubs are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.

CLICK HERE TO BET MLB BASEBALL ODDS AND PROPS