The Chicago Cubs will square off against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to televise this NL showdown and the opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Braves are 7-5 SU and have gone 9-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 4.0 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in this young season and 6.4 units ATS. Atlanta’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Cubs are 6-6 SU and 6-5 ATS. They’ve lost 2.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 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 year. The over has cashed in four of those games, as opposed to four that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.3 units and are 4-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to three which went under the total.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Braves. Sanchez struck out 104 hitters over 105 innings last year with only 29 walks while finishing the season 3-7 overall with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP.
The Cubs are going with righty Yu Darvish (0-0, 5.23 ERA) as their starter. Darvish recorded 209 strikeouts across 186 innings last year with only 58 walks, while finishing the season 10-12 overall with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 3.8 runs per game overall this season. 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 contest, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .274/.342/.509 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez have led the Cubs’ hitters so far. Bryant is slashing .333/.467/.604 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and seven runs scored, while Baez is batting .205 with eight hits, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff 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 managed an excellent ERA of just 1.42, along with a WHIP of 1.44 and a K/9 of 9.06.
Braves hitters have slashed .257/.340/.435 on their 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 contests (2-3 SU).
Atlanta’s offensive production 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 slashing .348/.375/.565 with 16 hits, eight RBIs and five runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Braves have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
Chicago has recorded 23.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 24.6 over its last five.
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