Free Picks: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals

The Cubs are slightly over .500 to open the season. After a 6-3 win over Washington on Tuesday, the Cubs look to keep the momentum going against Scherzer and the Nationals on Wednesday. The Nationals are dominant when Max is on the bump, so will the Cubs have an answer for one of the best pitchers in the sport?

For a team like the Nationals that find themselves in the basement of the NL East, it’s hard to stay positive. But with that being said, there is always one bright spot for the Nats: Max Scherzer. 

Despite being a below .500 team, Scherzer on the mound is always exciting and definitely impacts MLB regular season odds. While the Cubs own a better record than Washington, the Nationals come into this Wednesday night contest as the favorites at -145 (Betway). 

Scherzer is 3-2 on the season but has a solid 2.10 ERA, with 68 strikeouts. 

With Scherzer on the mound, the Nationals are giving him an average of 4.5 runs per game. While it isn’t the highest run support for a pitcher, that is definitely enough for Scherzer to work with. 

Opposite of Scherzer will be Jake Arrieta. Offensively, the Cubs score 3.14 runs per game when he is on the mound. This season, Arrieta is 4-3 with a 4.10 ERA.  

I think taking the Nationals straight up will be your best MLB bet. The Nationals are well below a .500 record, but Scherzer has helped Washington get out of jams before. 

Washington also owns one of the highest OPS in the National League at .716. Chicago fans a lot at the dish, tallying 400 K’s this season. 

The Nationals are one of the best hitting teams in the NL as well. With a team batting average of .252, they are tied with the Reds for best average in the National League.  

As a team, the Cubs have an ERA of 4.26 ERA. If Washington sniffs that number on Wednesday, that should be enough for Scherzer and the Nats to get a win on the road.  

On the road, the Nationals are 7-11 but have mustered 82 runs in 18 games. At Wrigley, the Cubs are 14-8 but have allowed 84 runs. 

Chicago is the better team, but Scherzer is the equalizer. 

• Scherzer is 1-1 in last 3 starts against Cubs.
• The Nationals are 8-6 as the favorite this season.  
• Chicago allows 3.92 runs against per game at home this season. 
• Arrieta’s 4.10 ERA is the best of any Cubs’ starting pitcher.