Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Odds, Picks and Predictions

THE Atlanta Braves (27-18) face the Chicago Cubs (27-22) Wednesday during the 2nd game of a 3-game series. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the FanDuel Sportsbook lines around the Braves vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Seasonal series: tie 2-2

The Cubs outlasted the Braves with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings on Tuesday. Chicago became a home favorite (+107), and it was the 5th consecutive Under between these teams.

Bears 2B Nico Hoerner returned to the lineup after missing more than a week with a hamstring strain and delivered the game-winning hit against the Braves LHP Aaron disappointing. SS Dansby Swansonwho 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 took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd when SS Orlando Arcia crushed a 2-run HR against the Cubs RHP Javier Assad. FC Michael Harris II also homered in the 4th inning.

Braves among Cubs projected starters

LHP Max Frit against LHP Justin Steele

Fried (3-2, 3.81 ERA) is making 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 loss to the San Diego Padres on 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) is making his 5th start. He has a WHIP of 1.21, 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 Thursday’s 5-4 home loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates
• 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 alongside the Cubs

Powered by FanDuel Sportsbook; Go to the USA TODAY Sports Sports Betting Scores & Odds hub for a complete list. Lines were last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.

• Money Line (ML): Braves -138 (bet $138 to win $100) | Cubs +118 (bet $100 to win $118)
• Running Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+114) | Cubs +1.5 (-137)
• More/Less (Y/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Braves picks and predictions at Cubs

Prediction

Atlanta 4, Chicago 3

Money line

PASS.

Given that they’re basically the same price, I’d rather take a run and a half than back the Braves (-138) on the ML.

Running Line/Against the Spread

CUBS BET +1.5 (-137).

Steele has given up 5 HRs so far in 2024, compared to just 8 in 173 1/3 innings last season. Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters after Steele’s final start that “it was probably better than the line,” placing more of the blame for the loss on Chicago’s defense.

The Cubs lineup is capable of making Fried sweat, especially with 3B Christophe Morel entering Wednesday with a walk-to-LHP percentage of 17.8%, good for 3rd best in the Netherlands.

Ultimately, Chicago’s bullpen (4.06 ERA) just isn’t as reliable as the Braves’ bullpen (3.24 ERA), so that’s another reason why the recommendation takes the race and a half rather than the ML.

More less

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 during his career, sporting a 1.24 ERA in 5 starts. Expect a 6th consecutive Under.

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