Chicago Cubs (24-17) vs. Atlanta Braves (24-13)
May 14, 2024 7:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -200 / Chicago Cubs +167; Over/Under: +8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves meet Tuesday in MLB action from Truist Park. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Over the weekend, the Cubs took on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outside of a 10-9 loss on Saturday, Chicago took wins in that set 7-2 Friday and 5-4 in the finale. On Monday versus Atlanta, Chicago was out-hit 10-5 in a 2-0 shutout loss. Shota Imanaga finished with 5.0 clean frames, seven hits, three walks and eight Ks in the start.
In the starter slot for the Tuesday matchup the Cubs will go with Jameson Taillon. This year over his four starts Taillon is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 16 Ks in 24.0 innings. Taillon is 62-45 with a 3.93 ERA in 177 career games (176 starts).
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
Over on the Braves’ side, they took on the New York Mets in their weekend series. Atlanta won the first pair of that set 4-2 and 4-1, then lost 4-3 to miss out on the sweep Sunday. In Monday’s matchup the Braves got one RBI each from Zack Short ad Ronald Acuna in the victory. Starter Reynaldo Lopez had 5.0 innings with two hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
It’ll be Chris Sale in the starting pitcher role for the Braves on Tuesday. This year in seven starts Sale is 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA. He has 52 Ks in 42.2 innings. Sale is 125-81 with a 3.10 career ERA in 350 games (270 starts).
Cubs vs Braves Injury Notes
Cubs RP Ethan Roberts (elbow) signed a minor-league deal with the team on Saturday. Roberts is day-to-day with his injury.
Braves 3B Austin Riley (side) is day-to-day after being removed from Sunday’s finale versus the Mets.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won each of their last seven home games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last five games at Truist Park.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last six games.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games after playing the previous day.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Jarred Kelenic has hit a home run in each of his three previous appearances against the Cubs.
- Ronald Acuna Jr. has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Braves’ last eight games against NL Central opponents.
- Travis d’Arnaud has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Chris Sale has recorded seven or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as a favorite against NL Central opponents.
- Michael Harris has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 14 night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Chris Sale has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances.
- Michael Harris has recorded a Double in three of the Braves’ last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Austin Riley has scored at least one run in each of his last nine appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one Single in 16 of the Braves’ last 17 games as favorites against NL opponents.
- Marcell Ozuna ranks T2nd in the league in Home Runs (12) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one total base in each of his 13 previous appearances with the Cubs as underdogs against NL East opponents.
- Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
- Dansby Swanson has scored a run in seven of his last eight appearances at Truist Park.
- Cody Bellinger has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances in night games.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in 10 of his last 12 appearances.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 12 appearances with the Cubs as underdogs against NL East opponents.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his 13 previous appearances with the Cubs as underdogs against NL East opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Atlanta Braves rank 1st in the league for runs allowed this season (138).
- The Atlanta Braves rank 3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (293).
- The Chicago Cubs rank T4th in the league for triples this season (9).
- The Chicago Cubs rank 4th in the league for walks this season (160).
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Braves, but the line’s too thick to mess with. We should have a good starter matchup here if both guys are on, though. Sale has just two earned in his last three starts (all wins). He’s managed 14 hits and two walks in a combined 18.0 innings. As for Taillon, he’s been great as well with just two earned in 19.0 innings total over his last three starts, going 2-0 in that time.
In the Monday matchup the Braves spread their offensive output around pretty well. Orlando Arcia (0-for-4) was the only batter without a hit. The pitching was great, too; Atlanta’s pen posted 4.0 innings with three hits, one walk and four strikeouts. I like the Braves to keep rolling on Tuesday but I’m probably not touching it.
