Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, 5/18/2021 MLB Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

TV: Marquee Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Washington (-110) Chicago (+100)

Wrigley Field is the site where Zach Davies and the Chicago Cubs (19-20, 4th in NL Central) will take on the Washington Nationals (16-20, 5th in NL East) on Tuesday. The moneyline on this game has the Nationals coming in at -110 and the Cubs are at +100. The O/U has been set at 8.5. The starting pitchers are Patrick Corbin and Zach Davies.

Washington is slugging .397 and have struck out 301 times, while taking a walk on 105 occasions. They have accumulated 138 runs batted in in addition to 306 hits on the season, while their batting average comes in at .254. The Nationals have hit 56 two-baggers as a unit and have knocked 37 balls out of the park. They have tallied 142 runs and have an OBP of .322. As a unit, the Washington Nationals are recording 3.9 runs per outing, which has them sitting at 25th in MLB.

Nationals pitchers have conceded 50 long balls and 151 total runs (7th in the league). They have walked 130 opposing hitters and their FIP is 4.62 as a team over the course of the season. Their K/BB ratio is 2.37 and their pitching staff holds a collective WHIP of 1.21. The Nationals have compiled a team ERA of 3.95 so far this year (15th in MLB), and their staff has struck out 308 hitters.

The Nationals relief pitchers have earned a save percentage of 57.1% and has stepped onto the mound in 19 save situations. The relievers have inherited 34 runners for the year with 32.4% of them ended up crossing the plate. Nationals bullpen pitchers have entered the game with players on base 21 times as well as having 28 appearances in high leverage situations. The Nationals have sent 119 relievers to the mound this season. The relievers have a total of 12 holds on the year (26th in MLB). They have earned 4 saves this year and have blown 3 of their 7 save opportunities.

The Washington Nationals have earned 943 putouts over the course of the season, in addition to 318 assists and 18 errors. Their fielding percentage is holding steady at .986 which has them sitting 6th in MLB, and have 260 double plays. The Nationals have converted 73.7% of balls hit into play into outs out of 2,829 innings on the field, which has them ranked 1st in the majors.

Corbin (74-71 win-loss record in his career) holds a FIP of 3.73 and he has gone up against 5,285 batters during his time in the major leagues. He has given up 1,234 base knocks (8.9 hits per 9 innings) and has 373 walks. His ERA is 3.91 (543 earned runs allowed) and his career WHIP is 1.286. Corbin has pitched in 1,249 innings and has accounted for 1,224 strikeouts so far in his MLB career.

The Chicago Cubs have a team OBP of .317 in addition to a batting average of .231 so far this year. They have been rung up on 383 instances (8th in MLB) and have earned a total of 294 hits. Chicago is sitting with 45 home runs on the campaign as well as 170 RBIs. The Cubs hold a team SLG% of .397 and they score 4.54 runs per contest (11th in MLB). They have 59 two-baggers, while getting a free base 141 times as well as putting up 177 runs.

The Cubs hold a team WHIP of 1.388 and are the owners of a FIP of 4.52 as a unit this season. They sit at 20th in the league as a pitching staff in total hits conceded with 324. The Chicago pitching staff have surrendered 179 runs over the course of the season while having a team ERA of 4.33 (166 earned runs relinquished). They have earned a K/BB ratio of 2.32 (359 strikeouts vs 155 free passes). They have surrendered 49 long balls and they relinquish 4.67 runs per 9 innings (20th in the league).

Chicago has had relief pitchers take the mound in 14 save opportunities and they have earned 9 saves. They are ranked 11th in baseball holding a save rate of 64.3%, and they have sent 153 bullpen pitchers onto the field for the season. Their relief pitchers have taken the field 55 times in high leverage situations and also on 48 occasions with runners on base. Chicago relief pitchers hold an inherited score rate of 30.1% of 73 inherited runners. With 40 save situations, the Cubs have recorded 25 holds and also 5 blown saves.

The Chicago Cubs have twisted 38 double plays and have earned a fielding percentage of .987 (4th in MLB). The Cubs have recorded 381 assists, 19 errors and have notched a total of 1,036 putouts during this campaign. In their 3,108 innings on the field, the Cubs hold a efficiency on defense of 68.8% (21st in the majors).

In his pro baseball career, Davies has surrendered 715 base knocks and he has 519 punch outs in 719 frames. Davies (52-38 career mark) has earned a 3.88 ERA while conceding 8.9 hits per 9 innings. He has given up a total of 310 earned runs while holding a WHIP of 1.300 and having a FIP of 4.2. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.36 and he has gone up against 3,033 opposing hitters so far in his career.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Washington (-110)

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