This is a 10* total on the UNDER Nationals/Cubs.

Both teams have been playing to several higher-scoring games of late, but I'm expecting those trends to even this evening.

The Nationals have seen the total go OVER the number in three straight after dropping two of three to the Cards over the weekend. Note though that the Nats have seen the total go UNDER the number in three of their last four after playing to three or more straight OVERS in a row.

The Cubs have now seen the total go OVER the number in seven straight after losing two of three to Boston this weekend, including an 11-5 setback yesterday (note though that Chicago has seen the total go UNDER the number in five of its last seven off a home loss as a favorite.)

McKenzie Gore is 4-7 with a 4.42 ERA for the Nats, while Drew Smyly is 7-5 with a 4.30 ERA for the Cubs.

I'm expecting a duel here between these two hungry starters, and all of these different factors now come together to indeed make the UNDER the correct call as far as the total is concerned in my opinion.

Good luck, NP