<p>
The 38-37 Chicago Cubs head to Washington to take on the 45-30 Washington Nationals in the first game of a four-game set tonight. The first pitch in the opener at Nationals Park is scheduled to be tossed at 7:05 PM ET.
</p>
<p>
The MLB betting boards shows the Cubs as a large money line favorite laying -147 to -165 depending on where you wager. The total line is a consensus 9.5 runs.
</p>
<p>
In their last game, the Cubs lost to the Miami Marlins 4-2. In the game, the Cubs scored two runs on eight hits and the Marlins scored four runs on five hits.
</p>
<p>
In their last game the Nationals lost to the Cincinnati Reds 6-2. In the game the Nationals scored two runs on eight hits and the Reds Scored six runs on 12 hits.
</p>
<p>
This season the Cubs rank tied for 16th in the Majors in runs scored and 6th in team ERA.
</p>
<p>
The Nationals rank tied for 1s in the Majors in runs scored and 9th in team ERA.
</p>
<div class="promo">
GET UP TO $250 FREE AT ONE OF THE BEST SPORTSBOOKS ONLINE: <a class="advblue" href="javascript:GoTo(Bovada)" title="Bovada Sports Book">BOVADA</a>.
</div>
<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Chicago: Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.19 ERA)<br />
Washington: Gio Gonzalez (7-1, 2.96 ERA)
</p>
<p>
Eddie Butler gets the call for the Cubs in the first game of this series and in his last start he gave up one earned run in four innings in a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. The Cubs have lost two of his last three starts where he went nine innings and gave up four earned runs and in the one win he went five innings and gave up four earned runs. Butler has not made it past the 5th inning in any of his eight starts this season. His only career start against the Nationals was in 2015 when he gave up four runs in six innings in a Cubs loss. The Cubs are 4-0 in Butler’s last four starts when their opponent allows at least five runs in their previous game.
</p>
<p>
Gio Gonzalez goes for the Nationals tonight and in his last start he gave up three earned runs in seven innings in a 12-3 win over the Miami Marlins. The Nationals have won four of his last five starts including his last two where he has gone 14 innings, given up five earned runs, and received 20 runs of support. In nine career starts against the Cubs Gonzalez is 3-2 with an ERA of 3.23. The Nationals are 4-0 in Gonzalez’s last four home starts against a team with a winning record, but they have lost nine of his last 11 starts against teams from the NL Central.
</p>
<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs are 7-2 in their last 9 games against the Nationals.
</p>
<p>
This is the first match up between these teams this season.
</p>
<p>
This season the Nationals are 20-15 at home and the Cubs are 16-21 on the road.
</p>
<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
</h2>
<p>
Chicago Cubs: 38-37 SU / O/U 37-36 / Run Line W/L 28-47<br />
Washington Nationals: 45-30 SU / O/U 39-33 / Run Line W/L 37-38
</p>
<h2>
Chicago at Washington Key Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
CHC is 6-0 in their last 6 games following a loss
</li>
<li>
CHC is 5-13 in their last 18 road games
</li>
<li>
CHC has an Under record of 8-1 in their last 9 games
</li>
<li>
WASH is 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss
</li>
<li>
WASH is 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning record
</li>
<li>
WASH has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 home games
</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Key Player Injuries<br />
</h3>
<p>
<b>CUBS</b><br />
[P] 06/09/2017 - Brett Anderson 60-day DL (05/07) ( Back )<br />
[P] 06/08/2017 - Kyle Hendricks 10-day DL (06/05) ( Hand )<br />
[RF] 06/22/2017 - Jason Heyward 10-day DL (06/19) ( Hand )<br />
[2B] 06/16/2017 - Ben Zobrist 10-day DL (06/13) ( Wrist )
</p>
<p>
<b>NATIONALS</b><br />
[P] 04/20/2017 - Sammy Solis 10-day DL (04/19) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 06/19/2017 - Shawn Kelley 10-day DL (06/17) ( Trapezius )<br />
[LF] 06/06/2017 - Jayson Werth 10-day DL (06/04) ( Foot )<br />
[CF] 06/02/2017 - Adam Eaton 60-day DL (04/29) ( ACL )<br />
[P] 06/11/2017 - Koda Glover 10-day DL (06/11) ( Back )<br />
[LF] 05/24/2017 - Chris Heisey 10-day DL (05/24) ( Bicep )<br />
[P] 04/20/2017 - Sammy Solis 10-day DL (04/19) ( Elbow )
</p>