A can’t miss pitching matchup between two former American League studs is on tap later tonight, as the Washington Nationals (27-19) pit Max Scherzer against the Chicago Cubs’ (25-20) Jon Lester in the third and final game of their series. Will Scherzer outduel Lester? Or will the Cubs deal Washington a loss? You can also click here for a preview of Braves vs. Dodgers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs Preview
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
When: Wednesday, May 27, 8:05 PM ET
Line: Washington Nationals (-115) vs. Chicago Cubs (+105) – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Washington Nationals
[sc:MLB240banner ]It’s a different league but the same kind of domination for Max Scherzer so far this year. Scherzer improved his record to 5-3 and lowered his ERA to 1.67 in his last start, a 2-1 win over the Phillies on May 22. In that game, Scherzer was just plain dominant, as he gave up an earned run on only four hits in eight innings of action. Mad Max enters tonight’s ball game against the Cubs on the strength of a 4-1 record, a 2.00 ERA, and a 0.92 WHIP in five starts thus far this May.
Scherzer aims to extend his string of success in Wrigley Field, where he is 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts. Washington is 3-1 in Scherzer’s last four road starts.
Scherzer will be matched up against fellow National League-transferee Jon Lester, who’s been prone to giving up long balls of late. Lester has given up a home run in each of his last five starts, including two in the Cubs’ 4-3 win over the Mets on May 11. Against a power-hitting Nationals team, Lester might find himself being tagged by the likes of Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa, who have 17 and five homers, respectively, this season.
This month, Washington is second in the majors in homers (52) and first in slugging percentage (.451).
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Betting on the Chicago Cubs
The Cubs snapped a two-game skid on Tuesday, as they evened the series with Washington with a 3-2 win. Chicago now looks to close out the series with a win, as the Cubs send ace Jon Lester to the mound later tonight. The Cubs are 3-0 in Lester’s last three home starts.
As mentioned earlier, Lester has been susceptible to power hitters of late, as he has a team-worst 4.44 FIP this month. But other than that, Lester has been nothing but spectacular this month, wherein he has collected a 4-0 record, a 1.85 ERA, and a .225 opponents’ average in five starts. In addition, Lester is 2-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three lifetime starts against Washington.
Behind Lester is a Cubs’ offense that relies mostly on Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant for production. Rizzo, who tops the team this season with a .315 batting average, is hitting just .185 over the last seven Cubs games. Bryant, on the other hand, is .222 with three home runs and seven RBIs during the same stretch. Bryant hit a homer in the team’s win on Tuesday.
Leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler, meanwhile, is batting .308 (4-for-13) with three RBIs in his career against Scherzer. Catcher David Ross is .333 (3-for-9), including two doubles in the same matchup.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-115) wins, 3-1.
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