Nationals at Cubs 8/10/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a matchup between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs from Wrigley Field. On Thursday, Gio Gonzalez pitched seven strong innings to lead the Nationals to a 6-3 victory versus Atlanta. Washington split the four game series with the Braves and is 5.5 games behind Philadelphia for the NL East Division lead.

Thirty-one year old righty Jeremy Hellickson (5-2 3.56 ERA) will make his 17th start of the season for the Nationals. Last time out, Hellickson allowed two runs over five plus innings during a 6-2 victory versus Cincinnati. The Chicago Cubs had yesterday off after taking two out of three in Kansas City this week. On Wednesday, Chicago managed just three hits during an ugly 9-0 loss to the Royals. SP Jose Quintana (10-8) allowed five runs in six plus innings and took the loss for the Cubs, who lead Milwaukee by two full games for the NL Central Division lead.

Chicago skipper Joe Maddon will turn to twenty-eight year old righty Kyle Hendricks (8-9 4.07 ERA) on Friday. Hendricks has won consecutive starts and has given up six runs over his last 13 plus frames.