Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, 5/17/2021 MLB Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs

Date: Monday, May 17, 2021

Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

TV: Marquee Sports Network

Wrigley Field is the site where Adbert Alzolay and the Chicago Cubs (17-19, 4th in NL Central) will take on the Washington Nationals (14-19, 5th in NL East) on Monday.

As a team, the Washington Nationals are putting up 3.6 runs per game, which has them sitting at 28th in MLB. They have a total of 118 runs scored and hold an OBP of .313. The Nationals have tallied 45 doubles as a unit and have hit 33 baseballs out of the stadium. They have amassed 114 RBI's as well as 266 base knocks so far this year, and their average at the plate is at .245. Washington has a slugging rate of .381 and have been rung up 283 times, while drawing a walk on 93 occasions.

Nationals pitchers have given up 47 home runs and 138 runs (8th in MLB). Their pitching staff has walked 124 hitters and their FIP is 4.71 as a squad so far this season. They have earned a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.26 and the pitching staff holds a collective WHIP of 1.23. The Nationals have compiled a team ERA of 3.90 so far this season (15th in the league), and their staff has struck out 280 hitters.

The Nationals relief pitchers have accumulated a save percentage of 50.0% and stepped onto the hill in 17 save situations. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 32 runners this year with 28.1% of them crossed the plate. Nationals pitchers have entered the contest with runners on 20 times as well as having 28 appearances in high leverage situations. The Nationals have sent 110 relief pitchers to the mound this year. The relievers have earned 11 holds for the season (27th in the league). They have compiled 3 saves this season and have blown 3 of 6 chances to save the game.

The Nationals have turned 73.8% of balls hit into play into outs out of 2,595 innings on the diamond, ranking them 1st in the majors. The Washington Nationals have a tally of 865 putouts at this point in the season, as well as 289 assists and 18 errors. Their fielding percentage is holding at .985 which is 10th in MLB, and they have turned 239 double plays.

Lester (193-112 career win-loss record) holds a FIP of 3.69 while he has faced 10,926 opposing hitters in the majors. He has allowed 2,466 base knocks (8.5 hits per nine innings) and has 844 free passes. His ERA is 3.59 (1,044 earned runs allowed) and his WHIP is 1.266. Lester has taken the hill for 2,614 innings and is sitting with 2,407 K's so far in his MLB career.

The Chicago Cubs have an on-base percentage of .316 in addition to a batting average of .227 so far this year. They have been called out on strikes on 356 occasions (6th in the league) and have notched a total of 264 base hits. Chicago has recorded 42 home runs so far this year and 153 RBIs. The Cubs hold a team SLG% of .393 and they have an average of 4.44 runs per contest (13th in baseball). They have hit 51 doubles, while taking a walk 134 times as well as scoring 160 runs.

The Cubs are sitting with a team WHIP of 1.403 in addition to having a FIP of 4.62 as a squad on the year. They are sitting at 20th in the league as a staff in total hits relinquished with 298. The Chicago pitching staff have relinquished 167 runs for the year while holding a team ERA of 4.40 (155 earned runs yielded). They have earned a K/BB ratio of 2.25 (331 strikeouts against 147 walks). They have relinquished 47 homers and they allow 4.74 runs per 9 innings (20th in the league).

Sitting with 33 save situations, the Cubs have earned 21 holds and also 3 blown saves. Chicago has called on relief pitchers to step onto the mound in 11 save opportunities and they have come away with 8 saves. Their relievers have taken the field 47 times in high leverage situations and also on 43 occasions with runners on. Chicago relievers hold an inherited score rate of 29.2% of 65 inherited base runners. They rank 8th in baseball holding a save percentage of 72.7%, and they have dispatched 142 relievers to the hill over the course of the season.

In 2,859 innings played, the Cubs have earned a efficiency on defense of 68.9% (22nd in pro baseball). The Chicago Cubs have turned 34 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .986 (7th in professional baseball). The Cubs have 348 assists, 19 errors and have 953 putouts so far this year.

During his MLB career, Alzolay has surrendered 46 base knocks while he has earned 78 punch outs in 65 innings pitched. Alzolay (3-5 mark in his career) holds a 4.52 ERA while surrendering 6.3 hits per 9 innings. He has allowed 33 earned runs while holding a WHIP of 1.142 and having a FIP of 4.5. His strikeout to walk ratio is 2.69 and he has faced 270 opposing batters so far in his career.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlay's Pundit's Pick: Take Chicago

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