Braves vs. Cubs Pick
Are the Atlanta Braves and host Chicago Cubs going to reach the total Thursday night when they open a four-game series? First pitch is at 8:05PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cubs are a big -235 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +200 underdog and the over-under is set at 7.5.
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Sean Newcomb (2-7, 4.36 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta, while Chicago turns to Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.45). Newcomb has a 1.55 WHIP with 76 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings. He gave up four earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-6 home loss to the Rockies his last time out. Hendricks comes in with a 1.24 WHIP with 89 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings. He gave up two earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings his last start, a 17-2 win at the Phillies.
Atlanta has a 59-72 record and is 30-36 on the road, while Chicago is 72-60 and 37-28 at home. The Cubs lead the season series 3-0 and the total has gone under two out of three times.
The Braves completed a doubleheader sweep at the Phillies Wednesday, winning 9-1 and 5-2. In game two, Julio Teheran gave up one earned run and struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings to get the win. Ender Inciarte was 3-for-5, after going 5-for-5 in the opener, with a run and an RBI. Dansby Swanson was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Nick Markakis was 2-for-3 with a double and two walks. Arodys Vizcaino earned his ninth save. The Cubs completed a three-game home sweep over the Pirates with Wednesday’s commanding 17-3 win. Kyle Schwarber led the way with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. Ian Happ went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs and four RBIs. Anthony Rizzo was 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three runs and two RBIs. Javier Baez was 2-for-5 with a double, three runs and two RBIs. Rene Rivera went 3-for-5 with a run. Jon Jay finished 2-for-6 with a run and an RBI. Jose Quintana gave up three earned runs with nine strikeouts over six innings to get the win.
The wind at Wrigley Field is a bigger factor than at any other MLB ballpark. Thursday night, it will be blowing in from left field at 16 MPH. That is significant. While Newcomb has shown rookie struggles, he has the talent and the wind will obvious help against a hot offense. Meanwhile, Hendricks is pitching some of his best ball of the season right now. Ride the under.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BRAVES/CUBS UNDER 7.5