Nationals vs. Cubs odds, line, prediction: 2026 MLB picks for Saturday afternoon from proven model

The Washington Nationals battle the Chicago Cubs in the second of their three-game season-opening series on Saturday. Washington defeated Chicago 10-4 on Thursday afternoon. The Nationals (1-0), who finished fifth in the National League East in 2025 at 66-96, were 34-47 on the road last season. The Cubs (0-1), who finished second in the NL Central at 92-70, were 50-31 on their home field.

First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. The Nationals lead the all-time series 338-320, and have won the last three meetings. Chicago is a -215 favorite on the money line (risk $215 to win $100) in the latest Nationals vs. Cubs odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 9.5. 

Before making any Nationals vs. Cubs picks, or MLB predictions, you NEED to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It was a profitable 35-29 on top-rated MLB money-line picks last season. It also excelled making home run prop picks in 2025, returning nearly 30 units of profit! Anybody following could have seen strong returns!

The model has simulated Nationals vs. Cubs 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Under on the total, and is also says one side of the money line has ALL the value!

Who wins Nationals vs. Cubs, and which side of the money line has ALL the value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Cubs vs. Nationals money line you should be all over, all from the model on a 35-29 roll on top-rated MLB money-line picks!