The Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs will square off on Monday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
Washington (37-55 SU and 52-40 RL) is starting left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The 24-year-old is 4-7 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in 18 outings this season.
Chicago (43-48 SU and 47-44 RL) is countering with lefty Drew Smyly. The 34-year-old is 7-6 with a 4.31 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP in his 18 starts.
The Cubs are -140 moneyline favorites and the game total is eight runs scored.
Washington won three of its last four prior to Sunday's game, helping offset the club's four-game sweep at the hands of Cincinnati prior to the All-Star break. The Nats are 18 games under .500 and 24.5 games out of first in the NL East.
Washington averages 4.20 runs (22nd) and hits .261 (5th) with a .717 OPS (19th). It's launched 80 long balls (28th) and stolen 55 bases (21st) this season. The Nationals pitching staff sports a 4.81 ERA (27th) and a 1.48 WHIP (28th) with 28 quality starts.
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Gore will take the hill for the visitors in Monday's series opener. The young southpaw didn't get off to a hot start to July, tossing just 2.1 innings in a loss to Philadelphia (seven earned runs). His last outing was interrupted by rain, limiting him to 1.1 frames, so he should be well-rested after the All-Star break to handle the bulk of the innings tomorrow in Chi-Town.