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The Chicago Cubs (24-19) and Atlanta Braves (26-13) meet at Truist Park Wednesday to wrap up their 3-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Braves lead 2-0
The Braves won 7-0 as -187 home favorites in the 2nd game of the series Tuesday with the Under (8) barely hitting.
LHP Chris Sale threw 7 shutout innings and allowed just 2 hits. Braves 1B Matt Olson hit a 3-run HR to cap off a 6-run 4th inning for Atlanta, which has won 6 of 7 and outscored Chicago 9-0 so far this series.
The Cubs offense has been streaky lately. The Cubs scored 5 or more runs in each game of their weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but in Atlanta, their bats are not connecting.
Cubs at Braves projected starters
RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Charlie Morton
Assad (3-0, 1.70 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 42 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 7-2 road win against Pittsburgh Pirates Friday
- 2024 road stats: 1-0, 2.70 ERA (20 IP, 6 ER), 1.10 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 4 starts
Morton (3-0, 3.14 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.04 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 43 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-2 road win against New York Mets Friday
- Has only allowed 1 HR in 3 home starts this season
- Career vs. Cubs: 4-7, 5.27 ERA (95 2/3 IP, 56 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 89 K in 18 starts
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Cubs at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +145 (bet $110 to win $145) | Braves -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-135) | Braves -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cubs at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
The Cubs haven’t been swept this season, a streak that won’t last forever, and this game will probably make it their first.
The Braves (-175) are 15-4 straight up as home favorites. The books are expecting an Atlanta win, and so do I. But at the current price, it is best to PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Atlanta has the 2nd-best run-line record as a home favorite, but it’s not very high (52.6%). Chicago, on the other hand, is 18-8 (69.2%) as a run-line underdog.
In Atlanta’s 6 opportunities to sweep a series this season, they went 3-3 straight up, but in 4 of those games, the margin of victory/defeat was just 1 run. I LEAN CUBS +1.5 (-135). You can also sprinkle a little money on WINNING MARGIN: BRAVES BY 1 (+450).
Over/Under
Both of these teams trend toward the Under, heavily. After a win, the Braves post the 3rd-highest Under record (18-7). The Cubs are quite similar after a loss (11-5-2), good for the highest rate in MLB.
Both of these pitchers are looking to avoid their 1st loss, so I expect them to be locked in.
BET UNDER 9 (-115).
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