Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs 8/9/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Washington Nationals play the second game of a three-game series on the road Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Washington is 36-74 following its 13-1 loss on Sunday to the Philadelphia Phillies. Washington was swept by Philadelphia in its four-game series and the Nationals have lost five straight. Washington is last in the National League East, 34 ½ games behind the first-place New York Mets.

With Josh Bell and Juan Soto traded, the leading home run hitter for Washington is Lane Thomas with 10 and the leader in RBIs is Nelson Cruz with 52. Cruz is also the leader in on-base percentage at .318. On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals will send Paolo Espino to the mound. The right-hander is 0-4 with a 4.20 ERA, 53 Ks and 13 BBs.

The Chicago Cubs dropped to 43-64 following a 3-0 loss. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Chicago but the Cubs have lost six of the last eight. Chicago is 24th in team ERA with 4.32 and 22nd in batting average allowed at .250. The Cubs are last in the National League Central, 16 ½ games behind the first place St Louis Cardinals.

Shortstop Nico Hoerner is batting .295 to lead Chicago and left fielder Ian Happ is the leader in hits with 103. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom is the leader in home runs with 20 and RBIs with 52, while catcher Willson Contreras is the leader in on-base percentage at .363. On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs will send Marcus Stroman to the mound. The right-hander is 3-5 with a 4.00 ERA, 68 Ks and 15 BBs.