The Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. The Braves are coming off a series versus the Angels this week, winning two of the three games. As for Chicago, they played the Reds in their last series and won two of the first three. In the Thursday finale the Cubs powered out a two-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves didn’t play too badly versus the Angels in their last set, losing 4-1 Monday before wins 5-1 and 12-5 in the next pair. In Wednesday’s blowout victory, Atlanta posted 12 team hits and six runs in the fourth inning alone. Ronald Acuna posted four runs, three hits, a homer and three RBI, while Ozzie Albies added two hits and two RBI. 

In the starting pitcher slot for the Braves on Friday, it’ll be Max Fried. Over five starts so far Fried is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 25 Ks in 26.0 innings. Fried is coming off a loss to Baltimore back in early May, giving up five earned in 6.0 innings. 

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won each of their last 10 day games against National League opponents.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 10 games against National League opponents following a home win.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last five Friday games at Wrigley Field.
• The Braves have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last three games as road favourites.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Ronald Acuna Jr. ranks 1st in the league in Steals (51) this season.

Chicago Cubs 

Over on the Cubs’ side, they took a 6-5 loss to the Reds on Monday but then exploded offensively for victories 20-9 and 16-6 in the next pair. Christopher Morel had a homer and three RBI in the Wednesday victory. On Thursday Chicago scored three in the third during a 5-3 win. Seven different Cubs players each had one hit, and five different players (Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Morel, Jeimer Candelario and Yan Gomes) each had one RBI. 

As starting pitcher Friday the Cubs have selected Kyle Hendricks. In 13 starts during 2023 Hendricks is 4-5 with a 3.49 ERA and 48 Ks in 77.1 innings. Hendricks is 1-3 over his last seven starts with a 4.22 ERA and 30 Ks in 42.2 innings.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

• The Cubs have won each of their last eight Friday games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last eight Friday games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six games as underdogs.
• The Cubs have led after 7 innings in six of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games as home underdogs against NL East opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Nico Hoerner ranks T7th in the league in Steals (26) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chicago Cubs ranks 3rd in the league for walks this season (394).
• The Chicago Cubs are one of only 3 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for home runs this season (206).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for slugging percentage this season (.498).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with the Braves. You could make a good case either way though, especially with the relatively thick line. Fried didn’t fare all that well versus Baltimore in his last start way back in May (6.0 innings; five earned), however he’d been pitching well before that. Fried has been on the IL for nearly three months due to a strained left forearm but should be good to go here after four rehab appearances in the minors. He’ll have to slow down that Cubs offense, though. On Thursday Chicago had another solid offensive appearance and the team got a lot of mileage out of seven hits. No one bat stood out; it was a well-rounded effort that should set the Cubs up well for Friday’s matchup.