MLB Baseball
2017-06-26 - Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: MLB Baseball
Monday 26th June 2017 - First Pitch 7:05pm
12:05am British Time
Preview
When you have been playing inconsistent baseball, the last thing you really want is to face a four game series with the Washington Nationals (45-30) who look like one of the teams to beat in the National League. That is the task for the Chicago Cubs (38-37) this week who dropped the final game of a four game set with the Miami Marlins on Sunday after failing to make the critical hit that left eleven batters stranded.
Over the course of four games, Chicago actually left thirty-one batters out there as their Offense continues to struggle to produce when it matters. This was the key for them winning the World Series, although at least the Cubs have not been left behind in the National League Central which is the poorest of the three Divisions in the National League.
The Offense has a big test in front of them as Washington open this series with Gio Gonzalez on the mound. The pitcher is in fine form in 2017 and Gonzalez has produced a 7-1 record with a 2.96 ERA in his appearances this season.
Gonzalez has produced five straight quality starts for the Nationals and he has been given enough support to have won four decisions in a row. His last outing saw Gonzalez hold Miami to three runs in 7 innings pitched and the pitcher has a 3-2 record with a 3.23 ERA in his nine previous starts against the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs will counter by giving the ball to Eddie Butler who has a 3-2 record with a 4.19 ERA this season, although his recent outings have proved to be more difficult. He has not won any of his last three starts for the Chicago Cubs and Butler has not made it into the 7th inning since his debut.
Butler is coming off a start where he gave up just 1 run in 5 innings which should give him confidence, although he can't think about the one and only time he has faced the Washington Nationals. That came in 2015 and Butler gave up four runs in 6 innings pitched against them.
The Chicago Cubs have won seven of the last nine games between these teams.
Prediction
While the Chicago Cubs have a good recent record against the Washington Nationals, I do think the Nationals have the better pitcher going to the mound and can produce the win on Monday.
Gio Gonzalez has been producing plenty of quality starts and is backed by a solid run support from the Nationals. They will feel they can get Eddie Butler out of the game and get into the Chicago Cubs bullpen earlier than the road team would want and I will back Washington to win this one.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals 6-3 Chicago Cubs
