Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction, 5/3/2023 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Location: Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

TV: MASN

Nationals Park is where the Washington Nationals (10-18) will try to defeat the Chicago Cubs (15-13) on Wednesday. The expected starting pitchers are Marcus Stroman and Cory Abbott.

As a squad, the Chicago Cubs are putting up 5.4 runs per contest, which has them at 4th in the league. They have 151 runs scored while having a team OBP of .346. The Cubs have compiled 43 two-baggers as a unit and have hit 39 baseballs out of the stadium. They have accumulated 145 runs batted in as well as 268 hits on the year, while their team batting average comes in at .276. Chicago has a slugging % of .451 and have been called out on strikes 232 times, while being walked on 98 occasions.

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Their strikeout to walk ratio is 2.79 and the pitching staff holds a WHIP of 1.18. Cubs pitchers have yielded 24 home runs in addition to 104 runs in total (3rd in baseball). Chicago has relinquished 203 base hits (7.4 per 9 innings) and also 98 earned runs. The Cubs hold a team earned run average of 3.55 for the season (6th in MLB), and their staff has rung up 254 batters. Their pitching staff has walked 91 opposing batters and their FIP is 3.84 as a squad on the year.

The Cubs have dispatched 91 relievers to the mound this season. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 25 base runners this year and 24.0% of them ended up scoring. They have compiled 3 saves so far this season and have blown 4 of their 7 save opportunities. The Cubs relievers have a save percentage of 42.9% and has stepped onto the mound in 25 save situations. The relief pitchers have 18 holds on the campaign (11th in baseball). Cubs relief pitchers have stepped onto the hill with runners on 16 times in addition to having 23 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Chicago Cubs have amassed 746 putouts so far this season, in addition to 250 assists and 14 errors. Their fielding rate sits at .986 which ranks 18th in baseball, and have 23 double plays. The Cubs have converted 71.0% of balls hit into play into outs in their 2,238 innings on the diamond, which has them sitting 6th in baseball.

Stroman has thrown 1,202 frames and has accumulated 1,005 punch outs in his MLB career. Stroman (69-69 career record) has a FIP of 3.64 and he has gone up against 4,987 opposing hitters in the major leagues. His earned run average is 3.58 (478 ER's allowed) and his WHIP is 1.246. He has given up 1,161 base knocks (8.7 hits per 9 innings) and has 337 walks.

The Nationals have a team slugging % of .349 and they tally 3.75 runs per contest (27th in MLB). They have notched 39 two-baggers, while taking a walk 81 times as well as putting up 105 runs. Washington has accounted for 16 long balls over the course of the season and 101 runs batted in. They have struck out on 194 instances (30th in the league) and have notched a total of 239 base hits. The Washington Nationals have compiled a team on-base percentage of .316 and a batting average of .250 for the year.

The Nationals are sitting with a team WHIP of 1.411 and have a FIP of 4.77 as a pitching staff over the course of the season. They are sitting at 19th in the league as a pitching staff in total hits relinquished with 244. The Washington pitching staff have yielded 135 runs this year while holding an ERA of 4.61 (126 earned runs given up). They currently have a strikeout to walk ratio of 7.70 (211 strikeouts against 103 walks). They have surrendered 33 homers and they surrender 4.94 runs per 9 innings (21st in the league).

Washington relievers hold an inherited score rate of 28.6% out of 42 inherited runners. Their relievers have taken the field 22 times in high leverage situations in addition to 26 occasions with base runners. With 24 save situations, the Nationals have tallied 13 holds and 4 blown saves. They are currently ranked 16th in the league holding a save percentage of 63.6%, and they have dispatched 88 relievers to the hill so far this year. Washington has called on relief pitchers to enter the game in 11 save opportunities and they have come away with 7 saves.

Out of their 2,214 innings on the field, the Nationals have a defensive efficiency of 68.6% (19th in MLB). The Washington Nationals have turned 28 double plays and have notched a fielding percentage of .982 (26th in MLB). The Nationals have recorded 276 assists, 19 errors and have notched a total of 738 putouts so far this season.

During his MLB career, Abbott has allowed 66 base hits while he has tallied 58 K's in 67 innings. Abbott (0-5 career mark) has earned a 5.61 ERA and has given up 8.8 hits per nine innings. He has given up a total of 42 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.530 and having a FIP of 7.1. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 1.57 and he has faced 307 opposing hitters during his career.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Washington

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