The Atlanta Braves (88-62) face the Chicago Cubs (83-67) Monday in the opener of a 3-game set at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze MLB odds around the Braves vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Braves lead 2-1
The Braves took 2 of 3 from the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, but dropped the finale 9-4 Sunday. 1B Matt Olson went 3 for 5 with his 39th homer and 3 RBIs. Atlanta amassed 12 hits, but could only scrape 4 runs across. The series win opened a 5-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East.
The Cubs took 2 of 3 from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend, but lost 4-3 Sunday. They managed just 5 hits in that
one, and 1B Michael Busch had 2 of them. The Cubs are 10 back of the Milwuakee Brewers in the NL Central, but are tied atop the Wild Card race with the Phillies.
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Braves at Cubs projected starters
RHP Reynaldo Lopez vs. LHP David Peterson
Lopez (4-4, 4.13 ERA) makes his 13rd start (26th appearance). He has a 1.39 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 76 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 7-2 loss to Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday
- Last 4 starts vs. Cubs: 1-1, 4.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 19 K's in 16 2/3 IP
Peterson (7-8, 5.28 ERA) makes his 21st start (30th appearance). He has a 1.58 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 131 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K in a 4-3 loss to Brewers Tuesday
- Last 5 starts vs. Braves: 0-1, 6.66 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 27 K's in 25 2/3 IP
Braves at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:46 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Cubs -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves +1.5 (-170) | Cubs -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Braves at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Braves 5
Moneyline
In this matchup with a couple of "meh" starters, I trust the Cubs' offense at home more. They haven't scored fewer than 3 runs in 9 games, but the Braves have done so 4 times. Atlanta's offense just flickers in and out.
Take the CUBS (-140).
Run line/Against the spread
There's no value here. PASS.
Over/Under
The Braves are 5-4-1 O/U in their last 10, and the Cubs are 4-4-2. It's a tall number, but based on the ineffectiveness of the starters, the OVER 9.5 (-110) is the way to lean.
Best prop bet
Take the YES RUN FIRST INNING (-130). Both starters' first-inning ERA is 6.75.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions
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