Nationals vs Cubs MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Chicago Cubs will begin a new era under innovative general manager Theo Epstein when they open play at venerable Wrigley Field on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals.
Stephen Strasburg (R) (0-0, 0.00) vs. Ryan Dempster (R) (0-0, 0.00)
Date/Time: Thursday, April 5, 2:20 PM ET
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL.
Broadcast: WGN
Line: 136
Over/Under: 6.5 -125
Still regarded by many as an expansion team, Washington has put together a completive ball club. And although they may not boast a line up full of super stars or household names, they do have a team of hard working blue collar players that appear to know when to come together and win games.
Big free agent acquisition Ryan Zimmerman tops that list. And although his HR numbers were down in 2011, he was still a major contributor with 49 RBIs and an OBP of .355. Nearly as good as Michael Morse, Washington’s best hitter last season.
Disappointing however, was the performance of slugger Jayson Werth who has some room for improvement after batting just .232 a season ago.
With an inconsistent offense, the Nats once again will count on their pitching staff to help win games, and it will all start with opening day starter Stephen Strasburg.
After being injured two seasons ago, he looked just fine when he played at the end of last season and is ready to resume his role as the organizations No. 1 ace.
Meanwhile, over on Chicago’s North Side, Cubbies fans are still hoping for a miracle.
Besides a new GM, Chicago spent its offseason spending boatloads money on short term solutions for putting together a winning team. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Once again, the Cubs opted to retain Alfonso Soriano–this time for $25 MIL–who has struggled not only defensively but also at the plate. When Soriano is hitting he’s great, but lengthy hitting droughts seem to plague him season after season.
The Cubs however, opted not be bring back Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena, but did sign David Dejesus, Ian Stewart, Travis Wood, and Chris Volstad. Not the players one may have in mind when thinking about winning a pennant.
Nevertheless, Chicago has its darling in Starlin Castro, which they hope will be the core of their future.
On the mound, Ryan Dempster will get the nod to open the 2012 season and will look for an early win in the first step to putting a pretty rough 2011 season behind him.
Chicago is 5-2 in their last seven home games, and 2-7 in Dempster’s last nine starts. Washington is 10-1 in their last 11 road games, and 4-0 in Strasburg’s last four road starts.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Washington– The Nationals may surprise a lot of people this year and it all begins in this game behind a solid outing from Strasburg.
