Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Picks and Prediction for Tuesday August 11 2026

The Chicago Cubs travel to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., to face the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET with coverage on MLB.TV. Chicago enters at 69-50 overall and 34-26 on the road, while Washington is 59-61 overall and 26-34 at home. The Nationals lead the season series 2-1, but the Cubs arrive having won four of their last five while Washington has also won four of five. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Check out our free MLB picks for more predictions from Tuesday's baseball schedule.

Starting Pitchers

Shota Imanaga is scheduled to start for Chicago with an 8-9 record, 3.60 ERA and impressive 1.09 WHIP through 132.2 innings. The left-hander has allowed 116 hits and only 29 walks while recording 125 strikeouts, although his 25 home runs allowed represent a concern against Washington's power. Jake Irvin counters for the Nationals with a 2-5 record, 5.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 62.0 innings. Irvin has surrendered 54 hits, 26 walks and 10 home runs while striking out 62.

Cubs Bring Their Road Success to Washington

Chicago comes into this series playing strong baseball with victories in four of its last five games. The Cubs closed their weekend series in Kansas City with a 10-2 victory after splitting the first two games against the Royals. Chicago also defeated Toronto 3-2 in 11 innings and the Dodgers 7-6 during this stretch. The Cubs are 69-50 overall and have performed well away from home with a 34-26 road record.

Chicago is batting .250 with a strong .339 on-base percentage and .417 slugging percentage. The Cubs have scored 614 runs while collecting 1,022 hits and hitting 148 home runs. Their pitching staff owns a 4.05 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while holding opponents to a .244 batting average.

The starting-pitching matchup is Chicago's biggest advantage Tuesday. Imanaga's 3.60 ERA is nearly two runs lower than Irvin's 5.37 mark, while his 1.09 WHIP is also significantly better. Chicago has scored at least six runs in three of its last five games, giving the Cubs an opportunity to capitalize if Irvin continues to allow traffic on the bases.

Nationals Offense Enters the Series Hot

Washington has matched Chicago's recent form by winning four of its last five games. The Nationals swept their three-game weekend series against Cincinnati, winning 5-3, 8-2 and 7-1. Washington also scored 10 runs in an extra-inning victory over Philadelphia earlier in the week. Despite the recent surge, the Nationals remain below .500 at 59-61 and are just 26-34 at Nationals Park.

The Nationals have been surprisingly productive offensively, batting .251 with a .328 on-base percentage and .439 slugging percentage. Washington has scored 643 runs with 1,034 hits and 171 home runs, giving the Nationals advantages over Chicago in runs, hits, home runs and slugging percentage. The weakness has been pitching, where Washington owns a 4.71 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and .259 opponent batting average.

Washington's power makes this a dangerous matchup for Imanaga because the Chicago starter has surrendered 25 home runs this season. However, the Nationals will need their offense to overcome a sizable starting-pitching disadvantage. Irvin's 5.37 ERA combined with Washington's poor season-long pitching numbers creates a difficult matchup against a Cubs team that has been productive recently.

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals Picks and Prediction

Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline

Chicago gets the call despite Washington entering on a three-game winning streak. The Cubs own the much better overall record at 69-50 and have been effective on the road at 34-26, while Washington is only 26-34 at home. The largest separator is on the mound, where Imanaga brings a 3.60 ERA and 1.09 WHIP against Irvin's 5.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Washington has enough offensive power to make this interesting, but Chicago's superior starting pitcher and substantially better overall pitching numbers give the Cubs the stronger path to victory. Take the Chicago Cubs on the moneyline.

Total Pick: Over 8.5

The Over 8.5 is the preferred total if the market lands around that number. Washington has scored 643 runs and hit 171 home runs this season, while Chicago has produced 614 runs and 148 homers. More importantly, both offenses are hot: the Cubs have scored 29 runs over their last five games and the Nationals have produced 33. Imanaga provides Chicago with quality starting pitching, but his 25 home runs allowed could become an issue against Washington's power, while Irvin's 5.37 ERA and the Nationals' 4.71 team ERA create considerable scoring potential for Chicago. Take the Over 8.5 if that number is available.

This Preview was completed prior to game play on Monday.