Saturday, June 6, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jason Hammel (4-2) vs. Joe Ross (0-0)

The Chicago Cubs visit Nationals Park on Saturday to play the Washington Nationals. Jason Hammel is the probable starter for the Cubs and he'll face Joe Ross of the Nationals. The Cubs, with a 21-31 run line record, cover the spread 40% of the time. They also have a 21-26 over/under record. The Nationals have a 30-22 over/under record and a 24-30 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 44% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 28-24 record, and they are 13-13 away from home. Jason Hammel has a 4-2 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.82 and a 0.90 WHIP. He's pitched 67 innings thus far while surrendering 53 hits over that time and when he starts, the Cubs are 5-5. The Cubs are also 4-6 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.3 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.78 and they have given up 141 base hits on the year. The bullpen has struck out 144 and walked 65 batters this season while opposing teams hit .239 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.3 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.76 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.66, they are 9th in the league.

As a team, Chicago is batting .238, good for 26th in the league while putting together a .238 average away from home. The Cubs hold a .382 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .317 which is good for 13th in baseball. With 58 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 22nd in hits per game with 8.13.

With a 29-25 overall record, Washington will come into this game 15-10 at home. Joe Ross will be making his debut start of the season for the Nationals on Satureday night. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.59 and they have given up 152 base hits on the year. The Nationals bullpen has struck out 151 batters and walked 52 this season while opposing teams have hit .246 against them. Washington has a team average of 9.25 hits per game and are averaging 7.94 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.80, they are 14th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .252, good for 16th in the league while putting together a .248 average at Safeco Field. The Nationals hold a .402 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .321 which is good for 10th in baseball. With 60 hits, Yunel Escobar leads the team while his team ranks 17th in hits per game with 8.43.

Chicago has a team fielding percentage of .978 after having committed 45 errors with 543 assists and 1,415 put outs for the season. Over the course of this season, the Nationals have accumlated 37 errors while having 528 assists and 1,428 put outs leading to a .981 fielding percentage.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 21-26 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 21-31 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 30-22 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 24-30 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)
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 Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Washington Nationals

06/05/15 3B Yunel Escobar Wrist doubtful Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
06/04/15 3B Anthony Rendon Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27); expected to start Thursday vs. Chicago Cubs
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 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/27)

Tony's Pick: Take the Nationals

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