The Chicago Cubs take on the Washington Nationals tonight, following a strong 8-3 victory in the first game of the series, marking their third consecutive win and seven out of their last eight games.

Matthew Boyd is set to pitch for the Cubs, boasting a solid record of 5-2 with a 3.08 ERA, while MacKenzie Gore takes the mound for the Nationals with a 2-5 record and a 3.16 ERA. The Cubs have thrived with Boyd on the mound, winning five of his last six starts. The Nationals, however, have struggled, winning only five out of 12 starts with Gore this season.

Recent trends suggest the Cubs are performing well on the road, winning five of their last six games away from home. Despite this, the over has been a common outcome in Cubs games, hitting at a 34-21-5 rate this season. Betting odds favor the Cubs at -136 on the moneyline, while the Nationals sit at +115. The total runs for the game is set at 8.0, with betting recommendations leaning towards the over and a spread play on the Nationals at +1.5.