Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction & Picks - MLB
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by Lou Aguila | in MLB Picks
Ending their preseason with a 4-1 record, the high-flying Chicago Cubs aim for an explosive season-opener against the Washington Nationals on Thursday.
Momentum: The Cubs finished their preseason buildup with a 4-1 record in their last four preseason games. On the other hand, the Nats have gone 1-4 in their last five Spring Training games.
The Matchup: Thursday’s game will serve both as a season-opener and series kicker for both teams. Washington has tapped starting pitcher Cade Cavalli to open the season for them, while Chicago will be sending lefty Matthew Boyd to the mound. Cavalli went 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA last season; Boyd posted a 14-8 record and a 3.21 in 2025.
The Betting Board: The Cubs opened the season as -226 favorites and are facing a -1.5 runs handicap at home. The Nationals are +184 underdogs while the total has been set at O/U 8.0 runs.
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Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5
|
0.58 | 119 | 69 | 50 |
|
16
|
0.492 | 120 | 59 | 61 |
Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals Latest Matches
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Mar 24, 2026 - MLB Spring Training
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2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Mar 21, 2026 - MLB Spring Training
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2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Mar 23, 2026 - MLB Spring Training
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3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Mar 23, 2026 - MLB Spring Training
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2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Mar 22, 2026 - MLB Spring Training
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Chicago Cubs against Washington Nationals : Head to Head (H2H)
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Chicago Cubs - Washington Nationals Key Points
- Washington is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games against Chicago Cubs.
- Chicago Cubs is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Chicago Cubs' last 15 games played in March.
- Washington is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games.
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Our Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction
Fearless Forecast: The Cubs win season-opener with a 9-3 win over the Cubs.
Best Bet: Bet on the Cubs to dazzle on their home turf, beating the spread at -1.5 runs (-108). The Cubs’ offense overwhelmed Seattle 7-1, Milwaukee 12-0, and New York 15-6 before pulling the plug in the second game and Spring Training finale vs. the Yankees 3-8. Matthew Boyd should keep Washington’s anemic offense in check through five innings before the relievers finish them off.
Secondary Pick: Over 8.0 runs (-110) is a hot pick right now, especially after the Cubs scored a total of 37 runs over the last four Spring Training games. You can’t expect much from the Nats right now, but you can definitely lean on the Cubs’ batting machine alone to take you over 8 runs in this game.
Our betting prediction for the Washington Nationals vs. the Chicago Cubs: The Cubs -1.5 Runs
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
