Braves vs. Cubs Pick
Are the Atlanta Braves going to get their first victory this season over the host Chicago Cubs? First pitch is at 2:20PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cubs are a -250 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +210 underdog, while the over-under has not been released.
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The Braves will put rookie Lucas Sims (2-4, 4.41 ERA) on the hill, while the Cubs are going with Jon Lester (8-7, 4.37). Sims has a 1.36 WHIP in six MLB starts with 22 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings. He most recently allowed four earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and a walk over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-1 loss at the Phillies. Lester returns after a quick DL stint. He was shelled prior to going on the disabled list, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits with no strikeouts and a walk over 1 2/3 innings in a 13-10 home loss to the Reds on August 17. Lester has a 1.27 WHIP with 155 strikeouts over 148 1/3 innings.
Atlanta has a 59-74 record and is 30-38 on the road, while Chicago comes in at 74-60 and 39-28 at home. The Cubs are 5-0 against the Braves this season after winning the first two games of this series. The total has gone under three times.
On Friday afternoon, the Cubs claimed a 2-0 victory as John Lackey threw seven shutout innings to earn the win. Wade Davis notched his 28th save. Anthony Rizzo was 2-for-3 with a double plus a walk and a run scored. Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ each had RBI singles. Mike FoltyNewicz gave up two earned runs over 6 1/3 innings to take the loss. Rio Ruiz contributed a single and a double.
The Cubs are simply rolling right now. Don’t expect Sims to have the formula to slow them down. The time off for Lester will likely have him back in good form. Expect the hosts to roll and consider taking the run line after it is released.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -250
