The Atlanta Braves will go for their fourth straight win as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at SunTrust Park. This NL showdown gets going at 7:35 p.m. ET and fans can catch it on either NSC+ or FSSE.
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Chicago (-120) is favored over Atlanta (+110) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 9 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. The game’s most recent runline odds stand at +125 for taking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -145 for the Braves +1.5.
The Braves are 25-15 SU and 24-15 ATS. The team’s gained 12.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.7 units against the spread (ATS). Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Cubs are 21-17 SU and have gone 17-20 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 3.8 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 3.3 units ATS. Chicagohas covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Braves games have an over/under record of 19-17-3 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 17-20.
Yu Darvish is getting the start for the Cubbies. The right-handed Darvish is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA and 37 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 7.71 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves are turning to righty Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.21 ERA), who’s got 47 punchouts and 19 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.31. Foltynewicz hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 2.84 ERA and two strikeouts across 6.1 innings).
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 3.55, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.7. The bullpen has a 3.60 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Atlanta hitters have produced 5.5 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .275/.365/.495 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Nick Markakis have paced the Braves’ offense this year. Freeman is hitting .325/.432/.576 with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while Markakis is batting .346 with seven homers, 30 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
Freeman performed well against righty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .362/.475/.638 in 160 such plate appearances (compared to his overall season line of .307/.403/.586).
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.03 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.31 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 2.69, along with a WHIP of 1.39.
Cubs hitters have slashed .255/.336/.431 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 6.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 8.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez have led Chicago’s hitters. Bryant is hitting .281/.415/.586 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs and 27 runs scored, while Baez is hitting .274/.310/.596 with 10 homers, 36 RBIs, 27 runs and five steals.
The Cubs have lost 3.4 units and are 12-14 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 8.3 units and are 18-11 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 14 of those games, compared to 12 that went under the total.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Cubs have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
Atlanta has averaged 21.5 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 26.4 over its last five.
The Braves have won six of their last seven games SU.
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