Cubs vs. Braves Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+136 | 9 -118 / -104 | +1.5 -146 |
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
-162 | 9 -118 / -104 | -1.5 +122 |
The second installment of this three-game series gets underway on Wednesday evening with the NL East's Atlanta Braves hosting the NL Central's Chicago Cubs.
Chicago choked away a 6-0 lead on Tuesday, which led to the Milwaukee Brewers clinching the division and the Miami Marlins clawing within a half-game of the NL's final wild-card spot.
Will the Braves take care of business once again, or can the Cubs redeem themselves Wednesday?
Here's a look at the odds and my Cubs vs. Braves betting pick and prediction.
Chicago Cubs
Right-hander Jameson Taillon takes the mound for Chicago and should be a good fade candidate in this contest. It's been a career-worst year for Taillon, who signed with the Cubs this past off-season.
Through 27 starts, he is 7-10 with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. His underlying metrics suggest positive regression is unlikely as he ranks in the 23rd percentile or lower in xERA, xBA and Barrel%.
Taillon also struggles in the strikeout department as he ranks in the 38th percentile in K% and the 24th percentile in Whiff% – that's where we'll fade him in this contest. He'll certainly have his hands full against Atlanta's loaded lineup and I'm not expecting much success.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves, with a stellar 101-56 record, are well on their way to the top seed in the National League. Atlanta's lineup has been dominant this season and ranks first in the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, SLG, OPS and home runs.
The Braves are also tremendous at avoiding strikeouts and rank third in K% when facing right-handed pitching. Looking at Wednesday's projected starting lineup, four of the nine hitters possess a K% south of 20% this year.
That's likely to continue against Taillon, a pitcher whom this current lineup owns a mere 19.7 K% and 23.3 Whiff% against through 61 career plate appearances.
Cubs vs. Braves
Betting Pick & Prediction
We have a high total in this game, which could mean a short outing for Taillon. If Taillon does indeed get shelled – which is certainly a plausible scenario given Atlanta's lineup and the right-hander's poor metrics – that bodes well for the under on his strikeout prop.
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