The series comes down to the final game when the 94-72 Chicago Cubs battle the 99-67 Washington Nationals in the 5th game of the NLDS at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. tonight. The first pitch of the finale at Nationals Park is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Many of the MLB boards list this game as a “pick’em” with the total line being posted at 7.5 runs.
In Game 4 of this series yesterday, the Nationals scored the winning run in the third inning and added four more in the eighth blanking the Cubs 5-0. Washington starter pitched seven strong shutout innings allowing three hist while striking out 12 batters. Cubs starter Jake Arrieta lasted only four innings allowing one unearned run before giving way to Jon Lester (3.1 innings).
This season the Cubs rank 4th in the Majors in runs scored and 7th in team ERA.
The Nationals rank 5th in the Majors in runs scored and 6th in team ERA.
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Pitching Match Up
Chicago: Kyle Hendricks (8-5, 2.88 ERA)
Washington: Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 3.01 ERA)
Kyle Hendricks goes for the Cubs in this game and he started Game 1 of this series and had a great outing not giving up any runs in seven innings and only allowing two hits in a 3-0 win. Chicago has won three of his last four starts including his last two starts where he has not given up any earned runs in 12 innings. Hendricks was on the mound in both of last season’s series clinching playoff games and in eight career playoff starts he is 2-1 with an ERA of 1.98. The Cubs have won six of Hendricks last seven starts against teams from the NL East.
Gio Gonzalez gets the ball for the Nationals. Gonzalez is 15-9 on the season with a solid 3.01 ERA in 33 starts. At home this season he has a record of 4-4 with an earned run average of 2.90 and WHIP of 1.19. In his last three starts he’s struggled with zero quality starts and a bloated ERA of 7.53. Gonzlaez has two starts against the Cubs this season lasting five innings in a 6-3 win in Game 2 and going six innings allowing just one run back on June 26th.
Chicago at Washington Betting Angles
This series is tied at two games apiece.
This season the Nationals are 4-3 against the Cubs.
This season the Nationals are 48-35 at home and the Cubs are 45-38 on the road.
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records
Chicago Cubs: 94-72 SU / O/U 77-82 / Run Line W/L 74-92
Washington Nationals: 99-67 SU / O/U 70-85 / Run Line W/L 79-87
Chicago at Washington Key Betting Trends
- CHI 4-1 in their last 5 playoff road games
- CHI is 10-4 in their last 14 road games
- CHI has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games
- WASH is 2-6 in their last 8 playoff home games
- WASH is 10-4 in their last 14 home games vs. a right-handed starter
- WASH has an Under record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 playoff games
Key Player Injuries
CUBS
[P] 10/01/2017 – Koji Uehara out indefinitely ( Knee )
NATIONALS
[P] 10/01/2017 – Shawn Kelley 60-day DL (09/30) ( Elbow )
[P] 09/07/2017 – Erick Fedde 60-day DL (09/04) ( Forearm )
[LF] 08/16/2017 – Brian Goodwin 10-day DL (08/14) ( Groin )
[LF] 07/26/2017 – Ryan Raburn 60-day DL (07/23) ( Trapezius )
[P] 07/17/2017 – Joe Ross 60-day DL (07/11) ( Elbow )
[P] 07/17/2017 – Koda Glover 60-day DL (06/11) ( Back )
[CF] 06/02/2017 – Adam Eaton 60-day DL (04/29) ( ACL )
