The Chicago Cubs will be taking on the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. WGN is in line to broadcast this NL showdown and the action gets underway at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Atlanta (+105) as the underdog to Chicago (-115). The total sits at 9 runs and bettors can take the over or the under for -110. Gamblers can also bet on the games runline with the odds coming in at Cubs -1.5 runs (+130) and Braves 1.5 runs (-150).
The Cubs are 22-18 SU and have gone 17-22 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline in the seasons early going and 5.3 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 26-16 SU and 26-15 ATS. They’ve gained 12.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 11.7 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Atlanta games have a 20-18-3 over/under record so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 18-21.
The left-handed Jon Lester is the probable starter for the visiting Cubs. Lester is 3-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 36 strikeouts. He has yet to face Atlanta this year, but he made two starts against the team in 2017, compiling a 2-0 record with a 3.75 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
The Braves will send Mike Soroka (1-1, 3.68 ERA) to the hill. Soroka has 15 strikeouts and four walks to his credit, as well as a 1.70 WHIP. Soroka did not accrue any MLB pitching stats in 2017.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.93 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.25 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 2.79, along with a K/9 of 8.60.
The Cubs offense has slashed .253/.333/.425 on its way to 5.2 runs scored per game this season, including 6.5 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez have led Chicago’s offense. Bryant is hitting .301/.429/.596 with eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 27 runs scored, while Baez has a .266 average with 10 homers, 36 RBIs, 27 runs and five steals.
In the home-team dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff has given up 4.0 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.41, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.0. The bullpen has a 3.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Atlanta hitters have put up 5.4 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 5.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .248/.354/.479 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Nick Markakis have led the Braves offense this year. Freeman is hitting .325/.435/.567 with eight home runs, 32 RBIs and 30 runs scored, while the line for Markakis stands at .333/.408/.518 with seven homers, 30 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .307/.403/.586, Freeman didn’t perform very well against left-handed pitchers at home in 2017, slashing .222/.275/.397 over 69 such plate appearances.
The Cubs have lost 3.9 units and are 12-16 ATS when facing a y starter this season. The over has cashed in 13 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 5.3 units and are 7-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has cashed in six of those games, compared to five that went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The Braves have won four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has posted 26.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.6 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit 15 over their last 10.
