The Washington Nationals (12-18) host the Chicago Cubs (15-15) at Nationals Park on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Nationals lead the series 2-1 after winning 2-1 on Wednesday. Carl Edwards Jr. threw one scoreless inning in relief to get the win, and Kyle Finnegan picked up his seventh save with a scoreless ninth. Lane Thomas went 2 for 3 with a triple and one run in the win. Seiya Suzuki was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Cubs.
ON THE MOUND
Jameson Taillon (0-2, 4.50 ERA) is slated to start for Chicago. The RHP threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-1 home defeat against the Dodgers on April 15. He scattered two hits while striking out seven and walking two in the no-decision.
For Washington, southpaw Patrick Corbin (1-4, 5.74 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs. Corbin made one start against the Cubs in 2022, throwing six innings in a 7-5 home defeat on August 16.
He gave up six hits and walked two, while striking out three in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, Corbin took the loss at home against the Pirates. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in the 6-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.1, while slashing worse across the board (.251/.339/.407). Against lefties like Corbin this season, the Cubs have ann .851 OPS, second highest in the league.
Cody Bellinger is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a 1.090 OPS in 36 at-bats. Washington is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.7 for the season.
The Nats have a .626 OPS against righties in 2023, third lowest in MLB. With a .739 OPS over 83 at-bats, Jeimer Candelario has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 7-7 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 3.0 runs. Washington has gone 5-12 at Nationals Park this season, averaging 2.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.3.
In the last 10 games at Nationals Park between the teams, each club has won five, though Chicago has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, four games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
