The Chicago Cubs are heading south to square off against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. WGN will be televising this NL matchup and the opening pitch will be at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Chicago (+120) as the underdog to Atlanta (-130). The total is sitting at 8.5 runs and gamblers can wager on the over for -115 or the under for -105. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Cubs +1.5 runs (-175) and Braves -1.5 runs (+155).
The Braves are 74-58 straight up (SU) and 68-62 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 19.8 units for moneyline bettors and 2.0 units (ATS). Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Cubs have gone 78-54 SU this year and are 66-64 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 4.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.6 units ATS. Chicago’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Atlanta games have a 60-65-5 over/under record in 2018. The Cubs have been a good under bet with a total record of 57-70-3.
The left-handed Mike Montgomery will get the start for the visiting Cubs. Montgomery (4-4, 3.62 ERA) has racked up 61 strikeouts in 99.1 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves will put the ball in the right hand of Mike Foltynewicz (10-8, 2.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), who’s got 169 strikeouts and 56 walks. Foltynewicz is 0-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.60 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.26, along with a WHIP of 1.36 and a K-per-9 of 8.68.
Cubs hitters have slashed .264/.343/.422 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Chicago’s offensive production has been sparked by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who have combined to swat 50 home runs. Baez is hitting .297/.329/.573 with 28 home runs, 97 RBIs, 81 runs and 21 stolen bases. Rizzo (.282/.376/.482) has produced 22 homers, 86 RBIs and 58 runs scored.
For the home team, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.03 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Atlanta offense is putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 3.5 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team has hit .262/.337/.375 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Braves’ batters have been led by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Markakis is hitting .310/.373/.475 with 14 home runs, 83 RBIs and 71 runs scored, while Freeman’s line sits at .310/.394/.508 with 20 homers, 78 RBIs and 81 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 1.9 units and are 50-52 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 44 of those games, compared to 55 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Braves have lost 2.3 units and are 16-22 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve cashed the under.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
