The Chicago Cubs will be facing off against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. This NL matchup will begin at 7:35 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to WGN.
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta (+105) is the underdog against Chicago (-115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this one at 9 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). Gamblers can also bet on the game’s runline with the odds standing at +130 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and -150 for the Braves +1.5.
The Cubs are 22-18 SU and have gone 17-22 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 4.3 units for moneyline bettors through the early portions of the season 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. The team has 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 an over/under record of 20-18-3 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 18-21.
Southpaw Jon Lester is getting the start 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 turn to Mike Soroka (1-1, 3.68 ERA), who has 15 strikeouts and four walks to his name as well as a 1.70 WHIP. Soroka did not pitch in the majors in 2017.
Atlanta’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have 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.
Atlanta’s offense has produced 5.4 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 5.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .248/.354/.479 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Braves’ offense has been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Nick Markakis. 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.
Freeman did not perform very well against lefty pitching at home in 2017. Across 69 such plate appearances, he slashed .222/.275/.397 (his total season line was .307/.403/.586).
In the other dugout, 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 outstanding ERA of just 2.79, along with a WHIP of 1.38.
Cubs hitters have slashed .253/.333/.425 on their way to 5.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s 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 (.266/.301/.571) is up to 10 homers, 36 RBIs, 27 runs and five steals.
The Cubs have lost 3.9 units and are 12-16 ATS when facing a y starter this season. The over has hit 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 at Atlanta Braves Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – UNDER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Braves have won four of their last five games SU.
Atlanta has recorded 20.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.6 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.
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