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The Atlanta Braves (27-18) take on the Chicago Cubs (27-22) Wednesday in the 2nd game of a 3-game series. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. 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 2-2
The Cubs outlasted the Braves with a 4-3 win in 10 innings Tuesday. Chicago cashed as a (+107) home favorite, and it was the 5th straight Under between these teams.
Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner returned to the lineup after missing over a week with hamstring tightness and delivered the game-winning hit off Braves LHP Aaron Bummer. SS Dansby Swanson, who was activated Monday off the IL after missing 2 weeks with a knee injury, scored in the 2nd inning and doubled in the 4th.
The Braves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 2nd when SS Orlando Arcia smashed a 2-run HR off Cubs RHP Javier Assad. CF Michael Harris II also homered in the 4th inning.
Braves at Cubs projected starters
LHP Max Fried vs. LHP Justin Steele
Fried (3-2, 3.81 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 49 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 3-1 home setback to San Diego Padres Friday
- Career at Wrigley Field: 3-0, 1.59 ERA (17 IP, 3 ER), 1 HR, 8 BB 20 K in 3 starts
Steele (0-1, 5.21 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 19 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 5-4 home defeat to Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday
- 2023 vs. Braves: 1-0, 5.06 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.78 WHIP, 14 H (2 HR), 5 BB, 13 K in 2 starts
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Braves at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -138 (bet $138 to win $100) | Cubs +118 (bet $100 to win $118)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+114) | Cubs +1.5 (-137)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Braves at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Atlanta 4, Chicago 3
Moneyline
PASS.
Given that they are basically the same price, I would rather take a run and a half rather than back the Braves (-138) on the ML.
Run line/Against the spread
BET CUBS +1.5 (-137).
Steele has given up 5 HRs so far in 2024 compared to only 8 in 173 1/3 innings last season. Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after Steele’s last start that “it was probably better than the line,” shifting blame more to the Chicago defense for the loss.
The Cubs lineup is capable of making Fried sweat, especially with 3B Christopher Morel entering Wednesday with a walk percentage vs. LHP of 17.8%, good for 3rd-best in the NL.
Ultimately, Chicago’s bullpen (4.06 ERA) is just not as trustworthy as the Braves pen (3.24 ERA), so that is another reason why the recommendation is taking the run and a half rather than the ML.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8.5 (-105).
Wind does not appear to be a major factor in Wednesday night’s showdown. Steele is still capable of throwing a nasty slider, and Fried has dominated Chicago in his career, sporting a 1.24 ERA in 5 starts. Expect a 6th straight Under.
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