The Windy City is set to live up to its reputation this afternoon at Wrigley Field, as the Washington Nationals visit the Chicago Cubs on Friday, September 5.
My Cubs vs. Nationals predictions are calling for Chicago to win convincingly in a high-scoring tilt.
Read on for my MLB picks for Friday, August 5.
Nationals vs Cubs prediction
Nationals vs Cubs best bet: Cubs -1.5 run line (-118)
The Chicago Cubs have a 10th-ranked wOBA and sixth-ranked ISO against right-handed pitchers, and Washington Nationals starter Jake Irvin has served up an eyesore .380 wOBA to left-handed hitters while also sporting an overall 5.42 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.
Irvin’s 4.81 xFIP and 5.64 xERA paint a similar picture, too.
While Chicago has struggled offensively since the calendar flipped to August with a 28th-ranked .291 wOBA and 3.69 runs per game, the underlying numbers showcase a lot of bad bat luck.
The Cubbies rank fifth in barrel percentage but have been limited to a 26th-ranked BABIP during the stretch.
More balls are going to find green soon, and Irvin sets up as the perfect candidate to kick-start the statistical correction.
Plus, as noted, the wind is forecasted to be gusting out at Wrigley Field this afternoon.
Turning to Chicago starter Javier Assad, he’s stretched out and coming off three solid starts to the tune of 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
With Washington checking in with a 20th-ranked wOBA against righties and a 26th-ranked overall mark since August 1, I’m expecting Assad to largely hold the Nats in check this afternoon.
Nationals vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
I’m expecting the Chicago offense to put a few crooked numbers on the board against Irvin with the forecasted gusts at Wrigley Field, so the Nats only need to chip in to send this total Over the number.
The Nationals have hit the Over in 26 of their last 44 away games (+10.25 Units / 21% ROI), too.
Washington first baseman James Wood is also rolling along a nice stretch at the dish with 14 hits, six runs, and six RBI while posting a solid .275 batting average and .843 OPS. He’s also posted an impressive .360 wOBA and .223 ISO against right-handed pitchers for the campaign.
Nationals vs Cubs 3-Leg SGP
- Chicago Cubs -1.5 (-118)
- Over 10.5 (-118)
- James Wood Over 0.5 total bases
Nationals vs Cubs odds
- Moneyline: Washington +185 | Chicago -225
- Run line: Washington +1.5 (-105) | Chicago -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-125) | Under 9.5 (+105)
Nationals vs Cubs trend
The Washington Nationals have hit the Over in 26 of their last 44 away games (+10.25 Units / 21% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Nationals vs. Cubs.
How to watch Nationals vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Friday, September 5, 2025 |
| First pitch | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | Apple TV+ |
| Nationals starting pitcher | Jake Irvin (8-10, 5.42 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Javier Assad (1-1, 4.05 ERA) |
Nationals vs Cubs latest injuries
Nationals vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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