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The Atlanta Braves (28-18) and Chicago Cubs (27-23) meet for the finale of a 3-game series Thursday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: Atlanta leads 3-2
Atlanta routed Chicago 9-2 on Wednesday while covering as a -123 road favorite. The Braves led 2-1 before scoring 6 runs in the 7th inning to take control. Atlanta is 2-1 in its last 3 games.
LHP Justin Steele took the loss for Chicago, pitching 6 1/3 innings with 5 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, and 5 K. The Cubs have lost 2 of their last 3.
Braves at Cubs projected starters
RHP AJ Smith-Shawver vs. RHP Ben Brown
Smith-Shawver (1-2, 6.10 ERA) makes his season debut and 7th career MLB appearance. He has a 1.52 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in 31 IP at AAA.
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-0, 2.45 ERA (3 2/3 IP, 1 ER), 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 1 start
- Career in the majors: 1-0, 4.26 ERA (25 1/3 IP, 12 ER), 17 H, 11 BB, 20 K across 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
Brown (1-1, 3.57 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 35 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 5 BB, 5 K in a 7-6 loss vs. the New York Mets on May 2
- Career vs. Atlanta: 0-0, 4.50 ERA (2 IP, 1 ER), 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 1 relief appearance
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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 12:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -125 (bet $126 to win $100) | Cubs +108 (bet $100 to win $108)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+130) | Cubs +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Braves at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
LEAN BRAVES (-125).
Atlanta is 2-1 in its last 3 games while Chicago is only 2-4 in its last 6 home games. The Braves are also 6-2 in their last 8 matchups vs. Chicago overall.
This is only a lean because Chicago is 3-1 in its last 4 meetings with Atlanta in Chicago and because both teams are only 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I like the Cubs to cover here as +1.5 (-160) underdogs, especially given how cold Atlanta has been by its own standards recently. However, the line is not worth the risk of betting on as currently set, so bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-105).
The Under has hit in 3 of Chicago’s last 4 games and is 6-3-1 in its last 10 overall. For Atlanta, the Under is 2-1 in its last 3 outings and 7-3 in its last 10. The Under has also hit in 5 of the last 6 Atlanta-Chicago matchups.
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