Thursday, June 4, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jake Arrieta (4-4) vs. Gio Gonzalez (4-2)

The Washington Nationals welcome The Chicago Cubs to Nationals Park on Thursday. The Cubs send Jake Arrieta to the mound to face Gio Gonzalez of the Nationals. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at +112 and Washington at -122. The over/under was set at 7. The Cubs have a 20-25 over/under record and a 20-30 run line mark, meaning they cover 40% of the time. The Nationals are 24-28 against the run line and have a 30-21 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 27-23 record, and they are 12-12 away from home. Jake Arrieta has a 4-4 record on the season, an earned run average of 3.18 and a 1.09 WHIP. The Cubs are 5-5 over his 65 innings pitched and he's also given up 57 hits over that time period. Against the over/under, the Cubs are 2-5 in his starts. The team is averaging 3.5 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 133 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 3.87. Opposing teams are hitting .237 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 61 times and striking out 141 times. Chicago is averaging 8.79 strikeouts per game while getting 8.18 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 9th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.64.

Chicago is batting .239 as a team, which is good for 24th in the league and hitting .239 away from home. The Cubs on-base percentage sits at .317, which puts them at 12th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .385. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 57 while the team ranks 22nd in baseball with 8.18 hits per game.

With a 29-23 overall record, Washington will come into this game 15-8 at home. Gio Gonzalez has a record of 4-2 while sporting an earned run average of 4.73 on the year with a 1.53 WHIP. The Nationals have a record of 7-3 over the 59 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 69 hits. Against the over/under, the Nationals are 6-4 when he starts. The team is averaging 5.1 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 143 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.58. Opposing teams are hitting .246 against the Nationals bullpen while walking 50 times and striking out 140 times. Washington is averaging 7.94 strikeouts per game while getting 9.24 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 11th in the league in team earned run average at 3.75.

They are batting .253 as a team, which is good for 12th in the league and hitting .251 at home. The Nationals on-base percentage sits at .322, which puts them at 10th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .407. Yunel Escobar leads the team in hits with 58 while the team ranks 16th in baseball with 8.48 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Cubs have a fielding percentage of .977 with 43 total errors, 517 assists and 1,340 put outs. The Nationals have committed 36 errors on the season with 483 assists and 1,320 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .980 on the year.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 20-25 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 20-30 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 30-21 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 24-28 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

06/03/15 RF Jorge Soler Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/2)
06/03/15 C Miguel Montero Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday vs. Miami Marlins
05/05/15 RF Chris Denorfia Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/5)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
04/17/15 P Neil Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/16)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Dallas Beeler Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Washington Nationals

06/03/15 CF Denard Span Knee is expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday vs. Toronto Blue Jays
05/30/15 P Stephen Strasburg Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/30)
05/19/15 LF Jayson Werth Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)
05/15/15 P Doug Fister Forearm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/15)
04/30/15 LF Reed Johnson Calf Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/15/15 P Craig Stammen Forearm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/14)
04/06/15 3B Anthony Rendon Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 P Erik Davis Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27)

Guy's Pick: Take the Nationals

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