Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs: MLB Betting Odds and Predictions

The Atlanta Braves (19-12) and Chicago Cubs (12-18) will close out a three-game National League series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 ET

Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs

The Atlanta Braves are 4-5 in day games this year

Atlanta scored a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, as second baseman Dan Uggla supplied the key hit with a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning. “We’re going to have these low-scoring games,” stated Uggla after the contest. The Braves are still a dismal 3-10 this year when scoring three runs or fewer. Offensively, the club has been limited to just four runs in the first two games of this series, which is a far cry from the 44 runs it totaled in three games against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Atlanta is 4-1 as a road favorite of -125 to -150 this year, with the “over” going 4-1 in those contests.

Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (1-0, 6.55 ERA) has led the club to wins in both of his starts, but he didn’t factor into the decision of a 9-8 road win over the Rockies last time out. He allowed seven runs (six earned) and six hits over six frames in that contest. The right-hander will be facing the Cubs for the sixth time in this career, bringing in a perfect 2-0 mark and 3.94 ERA, but hasn’t faced them since 2008.

Chicago had its two-game win streak snapped last night and the “under” has cashed in six of the team’s last seven games overall. The Cubs have still managed to post a 9-7 record in their last 16 ames, as the pitching staff came into Tuesday’s game with a 2.64 ERA since April 21, which was the fourth-best mark in baseball over that span. Chicago is 7-6 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season, with the “under” being 8-5 in that situation.

Cubs starting pitcher Paul Maholm (3-2, 5.13 ERA) will try to win his fourth straight outing, coming off a 5-4 home victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing just a single run and three hits over six frames. The left-hander has tallied a 2-1 mark and 4.50 ERA in three home outings. In six career starts versus the Braves, Maholm has compiled an even 1-1 record and 1.58 ERA.