Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday August 13 2026
The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals close out their three-game series Thursday, August 13, with first pitch at 4:05 p.m. ET in Washington, and this Cubs vs Nationals matchup has Chicago looking to complete a sweep behind Kevin Gausman against Cade Cavalli. The number has moved several times over the past 24 hours, but the Cubs have held the favorite's role throughout. For more angles like this one, check out our MLB picks before finalizing your card.
TLDR: Quick Picks and Prediction
- Side: Cubs -1.5 (+114)
- Total: Over 8.5 (-122)
- Projected Final Score: Cubs 6, Nationals 4
Odds and Line Movement
The market has settled in Chicago's favor after some back-and-forth movement since Tuesday afternoon, and tracking that movement gives context on where the money has landed heading into Thursday's series finale.
Current Odds
| Date | Time | Chi. Cubs | Washington | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/13 | 08:03:21AM | -140 | +131 | CHC 94%, 81% |
Line Movement - Moneyline
| Date | Time | Chi. Cubs | Washington | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/13 | 08:03:21AM | -140 | +131 | CHC 94%, 81% |
| 08/13 | 04:20:59AM | -134 | +125 | CHC 90%, 78% |
| 08/13 | 04:20:59AM | -134 | +125 | CHC 91%, 78% |
| 08/13 | 12:06:06AM | -142 | +118 | CHC 92%, 78% |
| 08/13 | 12:06:06AM | -142 | +118 | CHC 89%, 50% |
| 08/12 | 03:16:34PM | -142 | +118 | — |
| 08/12 | 03:16:34PM | -136 | +113 | — |
| 08/12 | 03:16:34PM | -136 | +113 | — |
| 08/12 | 03:13:36PM | -138 | +115 | — |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/13 | 04:20:59AM | 8.5o-122 | 8.5u+101 | O92%, O68% |
| 08/13 | 12:06:06AM | 8.5o-120 | 8.5u+100 | O95%, O67% |
| 08/12 | 03:16:34PM | 8.5o-118 | 8.5u-102 | — |
| 08/12 | 03:13:36PM | 8.5o-120 | 8.5u+100 | — |
Cubs vs Nationals Key Matchups and Game Preview
Kevin Gausman takes the mound for Chicago carrying a 6-10 record, a 4.29 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP through 134.1 innings this season. He has struck out 131 batters against 37 walks while allowing 132 hits and 16 home runs. Cade Cavalli has produced the better ERA at 3.57 for Washington but carries a slightly higher 1.30 WHIP, going 9-5 through 128.2 innings with 141 strikeouts, 39 walks and 15 homers allowed.
Chicago owns a potent offensive profile, batting .250 with a .340 OBP and .421 slugging percentage while scoring 634 runs and hitting 155 homers. Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a major catalyst, batting .284 with a .384 OBP, .544 slugging percentage, 27 home runs and 73 RBI. Washington has actually scored more runs at 655 while slugging .441 with 176 homers, but the Nationals will be without one of their biggest threats in James Wood, who leads the club with 30 home runs and is on the 10-day injured list. That absence puts additional pressure on CJ Abrams, who is batting .284 with a .358 OBP, .544 slugging percentage, 29 homers and 91 RBI.
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The Cubs have injury concerns of their own, particularly in the bullpen, where Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner and Gavin Hollowell are listed on the IL, while Matt Shaw is also unavailable. Washington is without catcher Drew Millas and pitchers DJ Herz, Josiah Gray and Richard Lovelady.
Chicago has taken the first two games of this series 8-6 and 12-6 and has won four of its last five, while Washington has dropped two straight after previously winning three in a row. The Nationals' 4.76 team ERA and 1.39 WHIP are significant concerns against a Chicago offense that has already been producing consistently in this series.
CHC vs WAS Betting Trends
The moneyline has bounced between -136 and -142 over the past 24 hours before settling at the current -140 number, with Washington's price improving from +115 up to its current +131 mark. Public backing has stayed heavily with Chicago, sitting at 94 percent of bets and 81 percent of money on the latest number. The total has held near 8.5 throughout the series, with the over drawing 92 percent of bets and 68 percent of money on the most recent line.
CHC vs WAS Key Injuries and Things to Know
- James Wood (WAS) - 10-day injured list
- Drew Millas (WAS) - out
- DJ Herz (WAS) - out
- Josiah Gray (WAS) - out
- Richard Lovelady (WAS) - out
- Daniel Palencia (CHC) - injured list
- Hoby Milner (CHC) - injured list
- Gavin Hollowell (CHC) - injured list
- Matt Shaw (CHC) - unavailable
Cubs vs Nationals Side and Over/Under Picks
- Side: Cubs -1.5 (+114)
- Total: Over 8.5 (-122)
The plus-money price on Chicago's run line offers value given the Cubs' current form and Washington's pitching problems, including the absence of James Wood and multiple rotation and bullpen pieces. On the total, the over stands out with both offenses capable of generating traffic and Gausman vulnerable enough to allow Washington to contribute.
Nationals Final Score Prediction
Cubs 6, Nationals 4
How to Wager on Cubs vs Nationals
For Thursday's series finale between Chicago and Washington, the two most relevant markets are the run line, where the Cubs -1.5 offers value at +114 as Chicago looks to complete the sweep, and the total, where the over 8.5 at -122 lines up with two lineups that have already produced heavy scoring in this series. Bettors looking to shop this line further or use additional tools before placing a wager can check out our AI picks hub, along with our Dimers review and Oddible review for more ways to build out a card around this matchup.
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