Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction: Nationals eye a strong start in this opener

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Prediction and Odds on the Match on September 05, 2025

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals will square it off at Wrigley Field in a Major League Baseball encounter. This will be the opener of a three-game series. The bookies have placed the Chicago Cubs as the favourites in this opener with a 70% winning possibility. Can the Washington Nationals, despite their tight chance, turn the tables? Below are match previews, betting trends and well analysed betting options to choose from. 

Chicago Cubs: Form and Statistics

The Chicago Cubs will be full of confidence taking a side like the Washington Nationals who have struggled so much this season as they look to improve their record going into the post season. In their last series, the Chicago Cubs have picked up consecutive victories with their only recent defeat coming against the San Francisco Giants where they suffered a sweep. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs have also picked up series wins over the Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. In their most recent games, the Chicago Cubs have a 4-2 record and over record of 80-60 in 140 games. The home team sits second in the National League Central Division with a 0.571 PCT. 

Chicago Cubs Team News and Lineup

The Chicago Cubs will send Javier Assad on the mound in this opening game. This will be Assad's third start this season and the Mexican has a 1-1 record with a 4.05 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP over 20.0 innings pitched.

Chicago Cubs Expected Lineup

Nico Hoerner (R) 2B, Michael Busch (L) 1B, Seiya Suzuki (R) RF, Ian Happ (S) LF, Carlos Santana (S) DH, Dansby Swanson (R) SS. Willi Castro (S) CF, Matt Shaw (R) 3B,Reese McGuire (L) C

Washington Nationals: Form and Statistics

The Washington Nationals will look to continue where they stopped after completing a sweep against the Miami Marlins. In what was a three-game series, this team secured a 2-0 win in the opener before a three-run win in game two. Meanwhile, their best performance was in the opener where they won 10-5. In that game, the Washington Nationals had a brilliant start with five runs scored in the first two innings. However, with the Miami Marlins scoring four runs in the 5th inning, a two run performance in the 8th innings was enough to see the Washington Nationals win at full time. Yet, it is worth noting that the Washington Nationals went on a losing run of eight games prior to that win where they suffered sweeping defeats against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. 

Washington Nationals Team News and Lineup

The starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals this season will be Jake Irvin. Irvin has been impressive this season for the Nationals and has an 8-10 record with a 5.42 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 154.1 innings pitched.

Washington Nationals Expected Lineup

James Wood (L) DH, Daylen Lile (L) LF, Josh Bell (S) 1B, Luis García Jr. (L) 2B, Dylan Crews (R) RF, Jorge Alfaro (R) C, Robert Hassell III (L) CF, Brady House (R) 3B, Nasim Nuñez (S) SS

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Betting Tips & Odds

• The Chicago Cubs have won their last two series heading into this opener which shows they are on the right path. Also, they have not lost the opener of their last three home series. As favourites, Bet365 set moneyline odds at 1.44.
• Despite being heavy underdogs heading into this opener, the Washington Nationals have just proven they can compete after sweeping the Miami Marlins in their last series. With a win in two of their last five games against the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals could pull off a surprising performance in this opener with Betway setting their moneyline at 2.85 and +1.5 handicap at 1.95.
• The games between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals have traditionally gone under with their last five ending with this result four times. This opener has a strong possibility of this result with under 10.5 at 1.87 odds.

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Match Prediction 05 September 2025

The Washington Nationals might have just crushed the Miami Marlins but I do not see them as a threat to this Chicago Cubs team. While looking at what the two teams have to offer and the level of their competitiveness, it is just too clear that the win against the Miami Marlins was a fluke as the possibility of the Washington Nationals performing at top level is low. Meanwhile, we might not see more offensive plays in this game especially with the Washington Nationals expected to have little productivity. Yet, the Washington Nationals can not be easily written off with everything indicating that the Chicago Cubs booked their postseason spot which might see them relaxed in terms of energy put in this game. Yet, with the Chicago Cubs expected to field their best players, I believe they will by at least two run lines as they come into this game heavily favoured. 

Our match prediction is Washington Nationals under 4.5 runs with odds available at 1.69 on 1Xbet bookmaker. 

Our betting tip is a -1.5 moneyline for the Chicago Cubs with odds available at 1.86 on Bet365 bookmaker. 

Our final match prediction is a moneyline win for the Chicago Cubs and under 8.5 runs with odds at 3.75 on Betway bookmaker.