WASHINGTON NATIONALS (19-8)

at CHICAGO CUBS (20-6)

First pitch: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Washington +140, Chicago -150, Total: 8.0

The two best teams in the major leagues kick off a highly-anticipated series as the Cubs welcome the Nationals into Wrigley Field.

The Nationals (19-8) and the Cubs (20-6) come into this highly-anticipated four-game series at Wrigley Field with the two best records in baseball. Joe Maddon’s club is coming off a dominant three-game sweep of the division-rival Pirates, and has won seven of eight. The Nats, who hold a 1 ½-game lead over the Mets in the National League East, have gone 5-1 against the Cardinals and Royals during a very difficult road trip that concludes in Chicago. On the mound for Dusty Baker’s club will be RHP Joe Ross (3-0, 0.79 ERA, 14 SO, 7 BB, 0 HR in 22 2/3 IP), who hasn’t allowed more than one run in any of his four starts this season. He’ll be opposed by RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-2, 3.91 ERA, 19 SO, 4 BB in 23 IP), the Cubs’ fifth starter. This will be Ross’ most challenging test of the season, as the Cubs lead the majors in runs (159) and are second in on-base percentage (.364). The Nationals’ bullpen (2.69) has been slightly better than Chicago’s (2.80) this season. The Cubs have posted a 7-3 mark at Wrigley Field, and the Nationals have gone an incredible 11-4 on the road.

2B Daniel Murphy’s (.398, 4 HR, 17 RBI, .449 OBP) torrid April has stretched into May, as the former Met leads the majors in hitting in his first season in D.C. RF Bryce Harper (.266, 10 HR, 26 RBI, .372 OBP), arguably the best player in baseball, is tied for second in the league in homers. C Wilson Ramos (.364, 2 HR, 10 RBI, .373 OBP) has quietly hit a ton from the lower part of the order. 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.264, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .330 OBP), LF Jayson Werth (.221, 5 HR, 15 RBI, .296 OBP) and 3B Anthony Rendon (.231, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .297 OBP) haven’t played up to their potential, but they remain extremely dangerous hitters that pitchers have to be very careful with. No Nationals hitters have more than six at-bats against Hendricks. Murphy (1-for-6) has doubled off him and Harper (1-for-6) has homered off him. Ross faced the Cubs once last year—his first-ever start against the club—and allowed three runs in five innings in a losing effort.

The Cubs have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to offensive talent, so it’s pretty amazing that their best hitter thus far has been Dexter Fowler (.348, 3 HR, 15 RBI, .470 OBP) out of the leadoff spot. 3B Kris Bryant (.303, 4 HR, 17 RBI, .395 OBP) has gotten hot as of late, as has 1B Anthony Rizzo (.260, 9 HR, 27 RBI, .403 OBP). Addison Russell (.224, 2 HR, 14 RBI, .356 OBP) and Jason Heyward (.211, 0 HR, 13 RBI, .317 OBP) continue to underachieve at the plate. No Cubs starters have more than three at-bats against Ross, who only has 20 career starts. Fowler has gone 2-for-3 against the 22-year-old with an RBI. Rizzo, too, has gone 2-for-3 against the righty with a double and an RBI. Hendricks has two career starts against the Cubs—both came last year—and is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 12 innings pitched. The Cubs have gone 14-2 against the money line in night games this season.