- Match-Up: Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs
- Event Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Network
- Betting Odds: Washington (+162) Chicago (-196)
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This Thursday, the Washington Nationals (66-96 last season) will travel to Wrigley Field to face the Chicago Cubs (92-70 last year). The current moneyline for this game stands at Washington +162 and Chicago -196. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.5. Starting pitchers for the game will feature Cade Cavalli and Matthew Boyd.
Last season, the Nationals achieved a slugging percentage of .390 and recorded 1,351 strikeouts, while drawing 443 walks. They scored a total of 657 RBIs along with 1,314 hits, concluding the year with a batting average of .242. The team also registered 259 doubles and hit 161 home runs. Overall, the Nationals averaged 4.2 runs per game, placing them 20th in MLB.
The Nationals boasted a team ERA of 5.35, ranking 29th in MLB. Their pitching staff struck out 1,248 batters, surrendered 214 home runs, and allowed a total of 899 runs (also 29th in baseball). They also issued 566 walks, finishing with a FIP of 4.72 last season. Throughout the year, Washington pitchers allowed 1,491 hits, averaging 9.4 hits per nine innings, and their strikeout-to-walk ratio was 2.20, with a WHIP of 1.45.
The bullpen achieved a save rate of 64.9%, entering 134 save situations. Of the 277 inherited runners, 39.0% scored. In high leverage contexts, the Nationals faced 134 occasions and dispatched 583 relievers throughout the previous season, accumulating 76 holds, ranking 25th in the league. They secured 37 saves, missing 20 of 57 save opportunities.
During last season, Washington accomplished 4,270 putouts, achieved 1,404 assists and made 94 errors, concluding with a fielding percentage of .984 — placing them 25th in the league. They successfully converted 67.9% of batted balls into outs in their 12,810 innings, ranking 29th in professional baseball.
Cade Cavalli has a 5.16 ERA, having thrown 52 innings and struck out 46 batters. His WHIP is 1.530, allowing 63 hits (10.8 hits per nine innings) and issuing 17 walks. With a career record of 3-2, Cavalli’s FIP is 5.09, and he has faced 242 hitters at the major league level.
On the other side, the Cubs showcased a slugging percentage of .430, averaging 4.90 runs per game (5th in baseball). They recorded 267 doubles, walked 554 times, and racked up 793 runs. Chicago hit 223 home runs and brought in 771 RBIs, while striking out 1,277 times (25th in MLB) and totaling 1,371 hits. Their on-base percentage stood at .320, with a batting average of .249 last season.
The Cubs’ pitching staff held a WHIP of 1.177 and a FIP of 4.16, ranking 10th in MLB for total hits allowed (1,284). They concluded the previous season with an ERA of 3.79 (605 earned runs), allowing 649 runs. The strikeout-to-walk ratio stood at 7.90 (1,265 strikeouts vs. 405 walks), giving up 202 home runs and yielding an average of 4.07 runs per nine innings (8th in MLB).
Throughout the season, the Cubs faced 177 save situations, garnering 110 holds alongside 20 blown saves. Relievers were called into action for 64 save opportunities, achieving 44 saves. The bullpen entered 158 high leverage situations — 101 with runners on base. They held an inherited scoring rate of 33.8%, ranking 4th in baseball with a save percentage of 68.8%, sending 523 bullpen pitchers to the mound over the last season.
In 12,915 innings, the Cubs achieved a defensive efficiency of 71.9% (2nd in MLB), executing 117 double plays, and ending with a .989 fielding percentage (4th in the majors). They notched 1,342 assists, made 61 errors, and recorded 4,305 putouts last year.
Matthew Boyd, with a career record of 60-77, maintains an ERA of 4.58, allowing 8.7 hits per nine innings. With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.11, he’s faced 4,614 hitters during his professional career. He allowed 553 earned runs, achieving a WHIP of 1.277 and a FIP of 4.5. Throughout his time in the league, Boyd has surrendered 1,053 hits and has tallied 1,045 strikeouts across 1,087 innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB contest against the spread or moneyline?
Predicted Outcome: Back Chicago (-196) and the under on 8.5 total runs
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