Cubs vs. Nationals prediction: Why Cubs are favored to win Thursday's MLB matchup [8/13/2026]
Get Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals predictions for MLB Thursday.
The Washington Nationals will take on the Chicago Cubs in MLB action at Nationals Park on Thursday, starting at 4:05 PM ET.
The Nationals will start Cade Cavalli (9-5, 3.57 ERA), pitting him against Kevin Gausman (6-10, 4.29 ERA) for the Cubs.
Dimers' advanced MLB model projects the Cubs as the most likely winner in this Cubs vs. Nationals prediction.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including best bets and picks.
Cubs vs. Nationals prediction: Who will win and cover?
Our leading predictive model gives the Cubs a 56.3% chance of beating the Nationals.
According to our model, the Nationals (+1.5) have a 55.1% chance of covering the run line, while the 8.5-run over/under has a 57.8% chance of going over,.
Cubs vs. Nationals odds [8/13/2026]
We have researched the best MLB odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
- Run Line: Cubs -1.5 (+122) / Nationals +1.5 (-125)
- Moneyline: Cubs -138, Nationals +136
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Cubs vs. Nationals picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets in this matchup. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
- Run line: Cubs -1.5 @ +122 via DraftKings
- Moneyline: Nationals @ +136 via DraftKings
- Total: Over 8.5 @ -108 via Polymarket
According to our MLB best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 8.5 total runs.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Cubs vs. Nationals game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's MLB game between the Nationals and Cubs at Nationals Park is scheduled to start at 4:05 PM ET.
- Who: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
- Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Time: 4:05 PM ET/1:05PM PT
- Venue: Nationals Park
Conclusion
We predict the Cubs, with a 56.3% win probability, will likely beat the Nationals in Thursday's MLB matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
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Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
