Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions June 4th 2025

Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs June 4th 2025

The Chicago Cubs will take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The game is set to start at 6:45 PM and will be broadcast on MASN. The Cubs, led by manager Craig Counsell, hold a record of 38-22 this season.

The Nationals, managed by Dave Martinez, have a season record of 28-32. The Cubs have performed well on the road with an 18-11 record. The Nationals have a home record of 13-15. Starting pitchers for the game are Matthew Boyd for the Cubs and MacKenzie Gore for the Nationals.

Cubs vs Nationals Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
• Venue: Nationals Park in Washington, DC
• Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cubs MoneyLine -136, Nationals MoneyLine +115

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs enter this game after an 8-3 win against the Washington Nationals. Michael Busch led the Cubs with three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Starting pitcher Cade Horton contributed with 5 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out three.

The Cubs have been strong offensively this season. They rank second in batting average at .262 and third in slugging percentage at .448. With 115 doubles, they are also second in the league, showing their ability to hit for power.

Matthew Boyd will start for the Cubs, bringing a solid 3.08 ERA and a 5-2 record. His consistency on the mound gives the Cubs a good chance to limit the Nationals’ offense. With strong hitting and dependable pitching, the Cubs have the tools to win this game.

The Nationals Can Win If…

The Washington Nationals will look to bounce back after their recent 8-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Despite the loss, the Nationals showed some strength at the plate with eight hits. CJ Abrams and José Tena each contributed with key hits, indicating their potential to impact the upcoming game.

Washington’s offense ranks 10th in slugging percentage this season, a sign of their power at the plate. They also rank 6th in doubles, which shows their ability to hit for extra bases. With players like James Wood and Nathaniel Lowe in the lineup, the Nationals have the tools to score runs.

MacKenzie Gore will start for the Nationals, bringing an ERA of 3.16 into the game. His recent performance against the Mariners, where he pitched six scoreless innings, highlights his potential to control the game. With Gore on the mound, the Nationals have a solid chance to limit the Cubs’ offense.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -136 against the Nationals at +115. The Cubs have strong batting stats, ranking second in batting average and third in slugging percentage. The Nationals’ pitching struggles with a 5.07 ERA, ranked 25th. My model projects the Cubs to win 5-3. I recommend taking the Cubs on the moneyline.

The over/under for the game is set at 8.5 runs. The Cubs have a solid offense, but the Nationals’ pitching may allow more runs. My model projects a total score of 8 runs. I recommend betting on the under for this game.

Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

The Chicago Cubs aim for their fourth consecutive victory as they face the Washington Nationals in the second game of their series on Wednesday night. The Cubs took the opener 8−3 and have been on an impressive run, winning 13 of their past 16 games. The Nationals, meanwhile, will look to snap a two-game losing streak after winning four straight prior to the current series. For all the latest data and figures across the league, you can refer to comprehensive MLB scores and odds.

Pitching Matchup

The pitching duel for Wednesday features two left-handers: Matthew Boyd (5−2, 3.08 ERA) for the Chicago Cubs and MacKenzie Gore (2−5, 3.16 ERA) for the Washington Nationals.

Matthew Boyd has been a consistent performer for the Cubs this season. Aside from one outing against the Cincinnati Reds on May 25th where he allowed four earned runs, Boyd has kept opponents to three earned runs or fewer in all his other starts and hasn’t recorded a loss since April 25th. In his last start, he tossed six strong innings against the Colorado Rockies, allowing an unearned run on four hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Boyd’s performance, noting his effective changeup. Boyd has one prior start against Washington, a win from May 19, 2023.

MacKenzie Gore leads the National League in strikeouts with 101 and has shown excellent control, walking just 21 batters over 68 1/3 innings. Over his last two starts, Gore has been lights out, yielding only one run in 12 innings. This includes a six-inning, scoreless outing with four hits against the Seattle Mariners on May 29th, where he struck out eight without a walk. Gore’s ability to navigate out of jams has been a key asset for the Nationals.

Team Form and Key Players

The Chicago Cubs are currently leading the NL Central with a strong 37−22 record. Their offense has been potent, ranking 2nd in MLB with 341 runs scored, 2nd in batting average at .262, and 5th in home runs with 81. In Tuesday’s opener, Michael Busch was a double shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a walk, three RBIs, and two runs. Pete Crow-Armstrong also contributed significantly with a double, two stolen bases (his 21st of the season), two walks, and two runs scored. His 21st stolen base made him the fourth-fastest major-leaguer in the modern era to record 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season (60 games). The Cubs played without Kyle Tucker on Tuesday, who is day-to-day with a jammed finger but is expected to need another day or two.

The Washington Nationals hold a 28−31 record, placing them 3rd in the NL East. Their offense has scored 265 runs (12th in MLB), with a team batting average of .244 (18th in MLB), and 60 home runs (16th in MLB). Luis Garcia Jr. had three hits for Washington in Tuesday’s loss. Manager Dave Martinez acknowledged defensive mistakes and walks contributed to their loss, stating they need to “eliminate all that stuff” moving forward. The Nationals have a historical head-to-head record of 332−314 against the Cubs.

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Prediction

The Chicago Cubs enter this contest as the red-hot team, boasting one of the league’s top offenses and a consistent starting pitcher in Matthew Boyd. While MacKenzie Gore is a formidable opponent for the Nationals, leading the NL in strikeouts and pitching exceptionally well recently, the Cubs’ overall offensive depth and current momentum give them a significant edge. Expect a competitive game, but the Cubs’ ability to score runs from various sources, coupled with their strong recent form, makes them the favorite to secure a victory in this middle game of the series. This aligns with what you might find in an MLB expert betting guide.