The Atlanta Braves will head north to play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago will be televising this NL matchup and the game gets underway at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Braves have gone 7-5 SU this year and are 9-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 4.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline through the early portions of the season and 6.4 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Cubs are 6-6 SU and 6-5 ATS. The team has lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.1 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 5-6 so far in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 4-5-3.
The Braves have gained 2.6 units and are 8-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to four that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.3 units and are 4-3 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under.
The right-handed Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Braves. Sanchez recorded 104 strikeouts in 105 innings last year (with only 29 walks) but finished the season 3-7 overall with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP.
The Cubbies are putting the ball in the hands of righty Yu Darvish (0-0, 5.23 ERA), who recorded 209 strikeouts over 186 innings last year with only 58 walks. Darvish finished the season 10-12 overall with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.
Chicago’s pitchers have given up 3.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 4.45, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.8. The bullpen has a 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .274/.342/.509 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ hitters have been led by third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez. Bryant is slashing .333/.467/.604 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and seven runs scored, and Baez’s line is .205/.340/.641 with eight hits, 10 RBIs and 10 runs.
For the visitors, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.28 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 9.30 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 1.42, along with a K/9 of 9.06.
The Braves offense has slashed .257/.340/.435 on its way to 5.7 runs scored per game this year, including 5.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Freeman is slashing .325/.518/.625 with 13 hits, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored, while Swanson is hitting .348/.375/.565 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and five runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Atlanta has posted 23.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 16.0 over its last five.
- The Braves have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
