The Atlanta Braves (70-38) finish their 3-game series with the Chicago Cubs (57-54) Sunday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 pm ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
After an 8-0 loss to the Braves in Game 1, the Cubs came back in Game 2. They put up 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st thanks to an error from Braves 1B Matt Olson. And Atlanta’s RHP Bryce Elder allowed 5 ER in 4 1/3 IP. Atlanta is 6-4 over its last 10 games and well ahead in the NL East.
Cubs CF Cody Bellinger continued his impressive stretch these past few months, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. He now has a .322 batting average. And newly acquired 1B Jeimer Candelario went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Olson hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 9th to cut the Cubs’ lead, but it was too little too late as Chicago evened the series with an 8-6 victory at home. The Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 to pull within 2 1/2 games in the NL Central.
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Braves at Cubs projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. LHP Justin Steele
Morton (10-9, 3.62 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 119 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 8 K in 4-1 home loss vs. the Los Angeles Angels on Monday
- 2023 road stats: 5-4, 3.32 ERA (57 IP, 21 ER) in 10 games
- Career vs. Cubs: 4-6, 5.03 ERA (91 1/3 IP, 51 ER) in 17 games
Steele (12-3, 2.65 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 115 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 6 K in a 20-9 home victory against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday
- 2023 home stats: 8-2, 2.57 ERA (66 2/3 IP, 19 ER) in 12 games
- Career vs. Braves: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (6 IP, 2 ER) in 2 games
Braves at Cubs nickname odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Cubs +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+138) | Cubs +1.5 (-166)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -106 | U: -114)
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Braves at Cubs nickname picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
The Cubs have won their last 5 series, but this Braves team is tough to beat. They rank 1st in slugging percentage (.499) and home runs per game (1.95). And they rank 2nd in batting average (.270) and RBIs a game (5.5).
And as a home underdog the Cubs are 10-12 while the Braves as a road favorite are 26-15.
BET BRAVES -120.
Run line/Against the spread
Despite Atlanta’s stellar record they only cover roughly half of their games (51.9%). And as an away favorite they are 20-21 ATS.
On top of that, the Cubs are 1 of 3 teams with a winning ATS record at home (31-28). It’s best to PASS and stick with the moneyline.
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Over/Under
Both these teams this season like the Over. They are top 5 in Over percentage (Cubs 54.7%, Braves 54.3%). That being said, Steele is the Cubs’ best pitcher, and he has allowed more than 3 runs just once in his last 9 starts.
While the Braves’ Morton is not nearly as dominant as his counterpart, his games have gone Under recently. Six of his past 7 starts ended below the Over/Under total and I see it happening again.
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-114).
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