by Rod Pearson
Saturday, Aug 05, 2023
Game Time: 2:20 pm ET, Sunday, August 6, 2023
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Where to Watch: MARQ
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Braves -122, Cubs +102; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Braves -122, Cubs +102; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Braves -122, Cubs +102; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
Atlanta Braves: 70-37 (1st place, NL East)
Chicago Cubs: 56-54 (3rd place, NL Central)
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Recent Form
Atlanta Braves: 7-3 last 10
Chicago Cubs: 7-3 last 10
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Preview and Analysis
The Braves are entering this series on a 2 game winning streak and won their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 70-37 record overall and have a road record of 33-17. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Sunday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Saturday. They also won the series opener of this series on Friday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .838 OPS. Bryce Elder is their starting pitcher on Saturday while Charlie Morton is making his start in this game on Sunday. He is 10-9 with a 3.62 ERA this season. His team lost their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 3 HR, and 3 BB with 8 Ks on 6 hits through 6 IP against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Cubs are entering this series on a 3 game winning streak and won their 4-game series against the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 56-54 record overall and have a home record of 30-28. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Braves on Sunday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Saturday. They also lost the 1st game of this series on Friday. Their offense ranks 8th in the MLB with a .754 OPS. Javier Assad is their starting pitcher on Saturday while Justin Steele is making his start in this game on Sunday. He is 12-3 with a 2.65 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 1 homer, and 0 BB with 6 strikeouts on 9 hits through 6 innings played against the Cincinnati Reds.
Braves vs Cubs Prediction
The current betting odds have the Cubs listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cubs haven't been great this season as they are still struggling to stay above .500 on the year but they have been playing a lot better lately and have been a better home team all season too. The Braves are the best team in the MLB right now with their record and also have the best offense in the MLB too, but lately the Cubs offense has been rolling too and they are going to need their offense here with this pitching matchup. The Braves have Morton on the mound here and he has been pitching really well all season but he did give up 3 runs in his last start and has been giving up more runs in his road starts this season too. The Cubs do have a really hot offense and they are going to get after Morton at home here with the way he has been pitching in his road starts. Meanwhile, the Cubs have Steele on the mound here and he has been their ace this season since he doesn't give up many runs in his starts at all. He did give up 4 runs in his last start but that hasn't happened often this season and he will be looking to bounce back with a much better performance at home here. This Braves offense has been hot but if anyone has a chance to shut them down it is Steele in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cubs to win this game.
Braves Cubs Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Sunday, August 6, 2023 (2:20 pm ET start time) is Cubs 5 Braves 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta Braves: 70-37 (+12.7 units) on the moneyline in all games. 14-2 (+11.6 units) on the moneyline against NL Central opponents. 11-5 OVER against NL Central opponents. 12-7 OVER against left-handed starters.
Chicago Cubs: 24-33 (-10.2 units) on the moneyline when the money line is +125 to -125. 8-15 (-9.9 units) on the moneyline against NL East opponents. 32-22 OVER in home games. 19-8 OVER at home when the total is 8.5 to 10.
Key Injuries
Atlanta Braves: D. Hernandez (SP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. E. Adrianza (2B) Mid Aug - Shoulder. D. Lee (SP) Late Aug - Shoulder. N. Anderson (SP) Early Sept - Shoulder. J. Chavez (RP) Mid Aug - Shin. K. Wright (SP) Early Sept - Shoulder. S. Hilliard (LF) Out indefinitely - Heel. K. Allard (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. T. Matzek (RP) out for season - Elbow. H. Ynoa (SP) out for season - Elbow.
Chicago Cubs: M. Stroman (SP) Mid Aug - Hip. N. Burdi (RP) Mid Aug - Appendix. B. Boxberger (RP) Mid Aug - Forearm. B. Hughes (RP) out for season - Knee. C. Heuer (RP) out for season - Elbow. E. Roberts (RP) out for season - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“I honestly didn't think he'd be that sharp but that was pretty good and very impressive.” - Brian Snitker on Max Fried after his team’s win against the Cubs in their game on Friday.
“Fried was pitching like an ace. He had real stuff, in the zone, mixing multiple pitches, kitchen sink thrown at everybody.” - David Ross after his team’s loss against the Braves in their game on Friday.
Starting Lineups
Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Sean Murphy (R) C
Marcell Ozuna (R) DH
Eddie Rosario (L) LF
Orlando Arcia (R) SS
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Chicago Cubs
Nick Madrigal (R) 2B
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Ian Happ (S) LF
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Yan Gomes (R) DH
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B
Patrick Wisdom (R) 1B
Miguel Amaya (R) C
Statistical Leaders
Atlanta Braves
Batting Average: Charlie Culberson (1.000)
Hits: Ronald Acuna (144)
Home Runs: Matt Olson (37)
RBI: Matt Olson (92)
Stolen Bases: Ronald Acuna (51)
Wins: Spencer Strider (12)
Saves: Raisel Iglesias (20)
ERA: Dereck Rodriguez (0.00)
Chicago Cubs
Batting Average: Jeimer Candelario (.600)
Hits: Nico Hoerner (119)
Home Runs: Patrick Wisdom (19)
RBI: Nico Hoerner (58)
Stolen Bases: Nico Hoerner (26)
Wins: Justin Steele (12)
Saves: Adbert Alzolay (13)
ERA: Jose Cuas (0.00)
Managers:
Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker (8th season)
Chicago Cubs: David Ross (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
