Cubs-Nationals Lines Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Nationals Park. Righthander Rich Harden will take the mound for the Cubs to start this game. Harden is 5-6 this season with a 5.59 ERA. It'll be John Lannan toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. Lefthander Lannan is 6-6 with a 3.70 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Cubs lost to St. Louis 4-2 as a +100 underdog in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Sunday. The six runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5). Milton Bradley was 2-3 with an RBI for Chicago and Randy Wells surrendered four runs on seven hits over seven innings to take the loss. The Nationals lost to Houston 5-0 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9). Jordan Zimmermann took the loss for Washington after allowing three earned runs on five hits in 6 1-3 innings. Team records: Chicago: 43-43 SU Washington: 26-61 SU Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Washington are 6-4 After playing St. Louis are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5 Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Houston are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing Washington The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games  The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games  The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games at home Next up: Washington home to Chi Cubs, Friday, July 17