The Atlanta Braves will face off against the Chicago Cubs in a Wednesday showdown. WGN is in line to broadcast this NL matchup and the action gets going at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 43-36 straight up (SU) and 39-39 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.3 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 47-33 SU and have gone 39-40 ATS. In total, the club has gained 8.6 units for moneyline bettors and 1.8 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 40-33-5 so far in 2019. Braves games have gone over 44 times, gone under 30 times and pushed on five instances.
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel is projected to start for the visiting Braves. Keuchel is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and three strikeouts. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Cubs are planning to start righty Yu Darvish (2-3, 4.75 ERA), who’s got 97 strikeouts and 47 walks to his credit, along with a WHIP of 1.36. Darvish is 0-1 with two strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA in one start against Atlanta this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 4.3 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.81, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 3.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Chicago offense is putting up 5.1 runs per contest, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .244/.318/.372 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is hitting .287/.327/.552 with 19 home runs, 52 RBIs and 52 runs scored, and Bryant’s line sits at .282/.392/.527 with 15 homers, 40 RBIs and 59 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.60 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.96 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.81, along with a WHIP of 1.36.
Braves hitters have slashed .263/.341/.460 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who’ve collectively blasted 40 home runs. Freeman is slashing .311/.398/.593 with 21 home runs, 61 RBIs and 59 runs scored, while Acuna Jr. (.289/.370/.506) has produced 19 homers, 51 RBIs, 55 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Braves have gained 3.5 units and are 30-31 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 32 of those games, as opposed to 25 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 1.9 units and are 6-9 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to five which went under the total.
Braves at Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Atlanta has recorded 17 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 12 XBH over its last five.
- The Braves have an OPS of .800 this season and an OPS of .790 against right-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS stands at .784 overall and .802 against righties.
- The Braves have won three of their last four games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 19.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Braves have hit 21 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 10 over their last 10.
