2023 Season Coming To A Close: Cubs vs Braves Preview

The Chicago Cubs (82-74) own a one-game lead for the last wild card spot over the Miami Marlins. The problem is, they’ll have to go through the Atlanta Braves (100-56), followed by a series with the Milwaukee Brewers in order for the Chicago Cubs standings to remain where it is at the moment.

The Braves took a weekend series against the Nationals after dropping six of their previous seven games. The Cubbies send ace Justin Steele (16-5, 3.00) to the mound against Bryce Elder (12-4, 3.63 era) for the Bravos.

Atlanta has opened as a -155 favorite with a total of 8.5 (over -122). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:20 pm ET / 4:20 pm PT and can be seen on TBS, Marquee Sports (Chicago), and Bally Sports South. Let’s start our Cubs vs Braves preview with a look at both teams from a betting perspective.

Magic Number Down to Four For Cubs

When we talk about teams peaking at the right time, there was no better display of that than this past weekend when the Chicago Cubs went into Colorado and handed the Rockies a three-game sweep by a combined score of 16-6. They could have easily wilted under the pressure of beating teams they should, especially after losing two of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates and 7 of 8 overall.

The team has bounced back, now it;s time for Justin Steele to do the same after allowing 12 earned runs in his last 9 innings pitched. You don’t have to be a math genius to know that equates to a 12.00 era over his last two starts while averaging just 4.5 innings per start (obviously).

Beforehand, the left was unhittable with just one earned run allowed in his previous 21 innings. So for the love of cashing tickets, will the real Justin Steele show up on Tuesday? Against the MLB moneyline, the Cubs are a small loser of 2.35 units this season, based on a one-unit wager per game. We continue our Cubs vs Braves preview by turning our attention to Atlanta.

Braves Focused On Health As Post-Season Looms

Atlanta’s pitching staff absorbed another blow when it was announced that Charlie Morton wouldn’t pitch in the upcoming Division series after straining a ligament in his right index finger. Tuesday, they’ll get a glimpse of a starter they’ll lean on after Spencer Strider when Bryce Elder takes the ball.

Like Steele, Elder has been shaky of late after giving up eight earned runs in his last 8.2 innings. Even more concerning was his five walks in his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 6-5 loss in 10 innings. The Braves have barely been profitable in 2023 with 1.89 units won.

At home, Atlanta is 48-27 but -2.18 units. That’s why baseball is the hardest sport to wager on. We conclude our Cubs vs Braves preview with our official selection.

Plus Money, Too Good To Pass Up

It will be interesting to see the betting patterns when every book posts their numbers, because do we wait and anticipate Braves money, which will push that plus money up, or is the public betting on the motivated Cubs? Let’s not leave it to chance in the name of greed, get on Chicago now at +130.

Against teams playing better than 55% baseball, the Cubbies are 14-6 (+807 units) and 4-2 on the road using that filter. We’re not making any score MLB score predictions today, but we are going to take Chicago in a close game. That does it for our Cubs vs Braves preview, we wish you nothing but the best with your wagers this week.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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