Rare Double-Digit Total as Braves Face Cubs
Atlanta is A Solid Pick as a Road Favorite Per the Braves vs Cubs Series Preview
Veterans Fried and Morton Look To Rebound After Quick Hooks The Last Time Out
Thanks to another strong outing from key offseason acquisition Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves snapped a season-high four-game losing streak by earning a split of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres. Now the Braves begin a six-game road trip by playing three games against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Braves vs Cubs series preview has visiting Atlanta favored in the series opener.
The Cubs snapped a five-game losing streak to the Braves with a 7-1 win in the final game of a three-game series less than a week ago. Each of those three matchups went under the total with a total of 17 runs scored.
The MLB betting picks have the Braves at -122 to win the series opener outright compared to +102 odds for the Cubs. For those who believe that the Braves could win the opener by more than one run, take a look at the +130 odds for Atlanta to cover at -1.5 on the run line.
Atlanta is second at +450 in the odds of winning the World Series with the Cubs 10th at +3300 in the MLB championship odds.
Braves vs Cubs 
Records: Atlanta Braves (27-17) at Chicago Cubs (26-22)
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Day/Time:
TV & Live Stream: Bally Sports South, Marquee Sports Network
Braves vs Cubs Probable Pitching Matchups
- Tuesday: Charlie Morton (Braves); Javier Assad (Cubs)
- Wednesday: Max Fried (Braves); Justin Steele (Cubs)
- Thursday: TBA (Braves); Kyle Hendricks (Cubs)
Goose Eggs Galore for Atlanta’s Staff
With another strong outing by Chris Sale and a pair of relievers, Atlanta recorded its fourth shutout in the last 11 games.
The Braves have allowed seven runs in its last eight wins compared to 49 runs being scored by the opponent in the last eight losses.
Veterans Charlie Morton and Max Fried look to bounce back after short outings in their most recent starts.
The Braves had a 2.00 team ERA in the three games against the Cubs earlier this month. That is something to ponder when it comes to the Braves vs Cubs Series preview.
Seventeen of Atlanta’s last 20 games went under the total.
Cubs Struggling to Deliver the Hits
Some of the offensive numbers for the Cubs in the last week have been just that, rather offensive.
No Cubs hitter is batting over .300 in that stretch of games. Ian Happ is hitting .059, Miles Mastrobuoni has a .095 average. Patrick Wisdom, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel, and Miguel Amaya are also hitting under .200.
As a team, the Cubs are hitting just .180 with a .290 slugging percentage. That could play a role in the Braves vs Cubs series preview.
Only the Cincinnati Reds have a lower batting average in May than the Cubs.
Five of the last seven games for the Cubs went under the MLB betting lines total.
Who’s Hot
- Javier Assad, Chicago Cubs P: Assad has yet to allow more than two runs in each of his nine starts this season. He surrendered four hits and no runs in six innings in his last appearance.
- Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs OF: Bellinger has reached base at least once in each of his last 10 games. He is batting .317 with six doubles during that stretch.
- Aaron Bummer, Atlanta Braves P: Bummer has allowed four hits and no runs with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings in his last five outings.
- Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves DH: Ozuna homered in both games of Monday’s doubleheader. He is hitting .422 in a 13-game hitting streak with six home runs and 11 RBIs.
Who’s Not
- Orlando Arcia, Atlanta Braves IF: Arcia has four hits and seven strikeouts in his last 29 at-bats.
- Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs OF: Happ is 1-for-17 with eight strikeouts in his last five games.
- Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs P: Hendricks gave up 11 hits and eight runs in 4.2 innings in his last start.
- Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves P: Morton is coming off his shortest stint of the season, allowing five hits and four runs in three innings.
Braves vs Cubs Injury Update
Infielder Austin Riley is questionable for the Braves while catcher Sean Murphy joins pitchers Blake Burkhalter and Tyler Matzek on the MLB injured list.
Shortstop Nico Hoerner is questionable for the Cubs while pitchers Yency Almonte, Daniel Palencia, and Ethan Roberts are on the injured list. Former Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson hasn’t played since May 7 for the Cubs.
Braves vs Cubs Betting Preview
After 24 consecutive games with a total under 10, the Braves will take the field in Chicago with the total set at 10.5. Eleven of Atlanta’s last 12 road games went under the total and perhaps it will be 12 out of 13 after the series opener.
The Braves look to build on an 11-7 record this season as a road favorite in the series opener. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers have won more games this season as a road favorite. It is not a surprise that the Braves and the Dodgers are the two teams viewed as the top candidates to be World Series winners.
When looking at the Atlanta Braves standings, the Braves are one of five National League teams with a winning record on the road.
The Braves are 26-14 as a favorite with Atlanta being an underdog just twice this season. The Cubs are 14-14 as the underdog but 5-3 as the underdog at home.
Just six of Atlanta’s first 20 games on the road landed over the total.
Other than some heavy winds, it is looking like nearly perfect weather for the series opener.
Braves vs Cubs Betting Odds
For MLB predictions, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
