In the third of a four-game series between the Chicago Cubs (69-51) and the Atlanta Braves (53-69) at Wrigley Field, Dan Haren (8-8, 3.62 ERA) and Williams Perez (4-4, 4.34 ERA) take the mound. The Braves lost the last game 5-3, extending a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 22 and will air on WLS and FSSO.
In his last start, Haren pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out four in a 3-1 loss to the White Sox. Anthony Rizzo (.292, 68 Rs, 24 HRs, 74 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. The Braves were also unsuccessful the last time Perez pitched. He struggled, going 6.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out two and walking four in a 5-3 loss to the Padres. Freddie Freeman (.286, 46 Rs, 14 HRs, 46 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one RBI.
Chicago is a considerable -226 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Cubs have a winning record of 48-30 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +666. They are 6-2 as the favorite over their last 10 games. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Cubs has gone great. Over that span, Chicago is averaging 5.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.1. The Cubs typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an NL-high 3.5 walks per game. Chicago’s pitching staff can be considered one of the best in the NL. The Cubs have a team ERA of 3.51, one of the lowest in their league. The Cubs don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fourth in the league with a 1.20 WHIP.
Switching gears, the Braves come into this game with a win percentage of .408 when playing as the underdog (40-58) and an overall money line of -494. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 2-7 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 2-8. During the last 10 games, they averaged 2.2 runs per game, below their 3.6 season average. Atlanta is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 287 extra base hits.
In their previous five games this season, the Cubs have a 4-1 record. The Cubs will take on a right-hander (Perez) in this game and have a 53-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Haren will take the mound against the Braves, who have a 45-55 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Chicago is 27-21, while Atlanta is 23-37.
The Braves managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are heading in with a 37-14 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 10-48. The Cubs have a 15-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 74 this season. Chicago ranks 12th with 119 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.15 per game. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.52.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.675). Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .708.
The Braves are 20-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cubs are 32-34 when they allow at least one homer.
