Nationals-Cubs Preview

The Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Wrigley Field. The Nationals will give the ball to starter John Lannan in this one. Lefthander Lannan is 6-12 this season with a 3.81 ERA. The Cubs will counter Lannan with Jason Marquis. Righthander Marquis has a 4.68 ERA to go along with a 8-7 record this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 290-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Nationals avoided a three-game sweep with a close 4-3 win over the Phillies on Thursday, as +225 underdogs. The seven runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9). Anderson Hernandez led the way with two hits and one RBI for the Nationals. Saul Rivera tossed an inning of relief for the win, and Joel Hanrahan notched his fourth save. Carlos Zambrano's home run gave the Cubs a 3-2 win over the Reds on Thursday, as -360 favorites. The five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9). Mark DeRosa also homered for the Cubs. Zambrano improved to 13-5 with the win, and Kerry Wood closed out the ninth inning for his 26th save. Team records: Washington: 45-83 SU Chicago: 78-49 SU Washington most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Philadelphia are 3-7 After a win are 5-5 Chicago most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Washington are 7-3 After playing Cincinnati are 6-4 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 10 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Washington is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi Cubs Washington is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing Washington Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Washington Chi Cubs are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 10 games when playing at home against Washington Next up: Chi Cubs home to Washington, Saturday, August 23