The Chicago Cubs (77-75) welcome the Washington Nationals (68-84) to Wrigley Field on Thursday to open a 4-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s check out BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Nationals vs Cubs Opportunities and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.

Season series: Cubs lead 3-0

The Cubs are coming off a 2-1 series loss to the Oakland A’s. They lost 5-3 on Wednesday, their second game in a row. Chicago also lost 2 of 3 games at the Colorado Rockies from Friday through Sunday. They are 5-7 in their last 12 games, and 39-35 at home this season. Chicago has a 72-80 record against the spread (ATS).

The Nationals, who have a 32-45 record on the road this season, were swept in 3 games by the New York Mets. After Tuesday’s 10-1 loss, they lost Wednesday’s finale 10-0. Washington, however, has a 4-4 record in its last 8 games. This season, its record is 83-69 ATS.

Expected starters for the Nationals at the Cubs

LHP Patrick Corbin against RHP Javier Assad

Corbin (6-13, 5.45 ERA) is making his 31st start. He has a WHIP of 1.49, 2.8 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 165 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K in the 4-1 home win against Miami Marlins on Saturday
• Away statistics 2024: 2-8, 6.58 ERA (79 1/3 IP, 58 ER), 1.74 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 15 starts
• Career vs. Cubs: 5-2, 4.09 ERA (66 IP, 30 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 12 appearances (11 starts)

Assad (7-5, 3.27 ERA) is making his 28th start. He has a WHIP of 1.36, 3.9 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 137 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No decision, 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 9-5 road loss to Rockies on Friday
• Home stats 2024: 3-2, 2.24 ERA (64 1/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.35 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 13 starts
• Career vs. Nationals: 1-0, 2.45 ERA (11 IP, 3 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 4.1 K/9 in 2 appearances (1 start)

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Odds for Nationals at Cubs

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub for a complete list of MLB odds. Odds last updated at 1:40 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Nationals +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Cubs -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
• Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread: Nationals +1.5 (-135) | Cubs -1.5 (+110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Tips and predictions for the Nationals at the Cubs

forecast

Cubs 6, Nationals 3

Money line

HAPPEN.

There is no great value here. The Cubs (-190) are rightly expensive favorites, especially with Assad on the mound. But they are not worth betting on an outright win.

Running Line/Against the Spread

Bet Cubs -1.5 (+110).

The Cubs’ offense has been much more consistent in recent weeks and Chicago has the better pitcher on the mound on Thursday.

Corbin has been terrible on the road this season and the Nationals have been outscored 22-2 in their last 3 games. They have even been outscored 46-22 in their last 9 games. Washington is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.

Chicago has scored at least three runs in nine straight games, and it’s safe to assume that enough points will be put on the scoreboard to make up the deficit.

Take YOUNG -1.5 (+110).

Over/Under

Bet over 8.5 (-110).

The Cubs have reached the cap in 2 of their last 3 games and 7 of their last 9 games. They have also scored at least 5 runs in 7 of 9 games and allowed at least 4 in 5 of their last 7 games.

Washington has won over in two consecutive games. Given these trends, especially for the Nationals defense, OVER 8.5 (-110).

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