Braves vs Cubs Picks and Predictions: Atlanta's Bats Bounce Back

The Atlanta Braves will try to start a new winning streak when they take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon. The Braves had won 14 in a row prior to Friday’s 1-0 defeat in the Windy City.

Can the Cubs — who just ended a 10-game losing streak — cash as underdogs once more? Find out in our free MLB picks and predictions for Braves vs Cubs on Saturday, June 18.

Braves vs Cubs odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Braves were unveiled as consensus favorites of -164, and that line has hardly moved at the majority of sportsbooks. The opening total line of 7.5 has yet to budge anywhere, but sites are offering as high as a -122 vig on the Under.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until first pitch and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.

Braves vs Cubs predictions

• Prediction: Braves ML (-165)
• Prediction: Over 7.5 (+100)
• Best bet: Over 7.5 (+100)

Picks made on 6/18/2022 at 8:50 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Braves vs Cubs game info

• Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
• Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
• First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports, MARQ

Braves vs Cubs betting preview

Starting pitchers

Kyle Wright (7-3, 2.57 ERA): Kyle Wright continues to exceed expectations for Atlanta this year, as he’s fresh off his fourth straight quality start, at is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in June.

Justin Steele (1-5, 4.33 ERA): Justin Steele battled through a bruised finger in his latest effort on June 13 to limit the Padres to one run over seven frames. He put in a similar performance against the Cardinals on June 5, which jumpstarted a solid month for him. 

Weather

Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.

Key injuries

Braves: Ozzie Albies 2B (Out), Tyler Matzek RP (Out), Eddie Rosario LF (Out), Manny Pina C (Out).
Cubs: Marcus Stroman SP (Out), Nick Madrigal 2B (Out), Frank Schwindel 1B (Questionable), Seiya Suzuki LF (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Cubs are 20-41 in their last 61 games against right-handed starters. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Cubs

Braves vs Cubs picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

The Braves were bound to lose eventually, so it wasn’t all that surprising that their 14-game winning streak ended on Friday. But they’re more than capable of getting back on the beam against an underachieving Cubs squad on Saturday.

Kyle Wright is arguably Atlanta’s most reliable starter right now, and he’ll toe the rubber at Wrigley Field today. He’s been even stingier on the road than he has at home in 2022, authoring a 1.96 ERA as the visitor this season, compared to a 2.84 ERA in his own ballpark. Wright has surrendered just four homers all year and has compiled 80 strikeouts over 73 2-3 innings.

It seems unlikely that the Cubs’ offense — 20th in runs per game this season at 4.24 — will be able to keep up with the Braves’ bats. 

Atlanta plated 7.21 runs per tilt over their 14-game winning streak. Austin Riley, Adam Duvall, and Ronald Acuna Jr. have provided the power since the calendar flipped to June, combining for 15 homers while driving in 29 runs. 

Southpaw Justin Steele will have to tread carefully with these Braves batters, as Atlanta is 19-7 in its last 26 road games against left-handed starters.

The Braves have a dramatic edge in the bullpen battle too, as they’re fourth in the majors by ERA this year (2.93), while Chicago is 29th (4.87). 

The Cubs’ Friday victory seems like even more of a fluke when one considers that the North Siders are 7-30 in their last 37 home games against teams with winning records.

Prediction: Braves moneyline (-165 at PointsBet)

Over/Under analysis

The wind will be blowing in at Wrigley on Saturday at about 15 mph, but Over bettors should not be dissuaded. 

The trends suggest that the Braves will carry the freight when it comes to cashing on the Over here. Atlanta has exceeded the total in 10 of its last 14 games against left-handed starters. The Over is also 5-1 in the Braves’ last six after scoring two runs or fewer in their previous game, and 12-5 in their last 17 games after allowing two runs or fewer in their last contest.

Even if the wind knocks down some of the big boppers’ balls, the Braves can still rely on their table-setters to get things going. Michael Harris II has come from nowhere to bat .351 in June, and the streaky Dansby Swanson is currently seeing the ball just as well, hitting .355 this month.

If the Cubs want to get anything going against Wright, they’ll have to be patient at the plate, as the Alabama native has issued 25 free passes this season. Chicago is a solid ninth in walks drawn this year, so it should be able to accrue some baserunners that way. The Cubs just need timely hits to bring them in.  

The Over is 17-8-3 in the Cubs’ last 28 home games with the total set between 7.0 and 8.5, and while that isn’t an incredibly strong trend, it does suggest that bettors shouldn’t blindly back the Under because of the wind.

Prediction: Over 7.5 (+100 at FanDuel)

Best bet

Game 1 of this series resulted in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel, but this total is much too modest when all the factors are weighed.

If the Braves can’t rattle the shaky Steele, then they’ll almost certainly take advantage of a Cubs bullpen that sports an MLB-worst 7.71 ERA in June. Rowan Wick’s latest efforts have been particularly alarming, as he’s allowed at least one earned run in three of his last four appearances. 

Chicago’s lineup is inferior but far from feeble. Ian Happ has found his best stride at the plate of late, batting .364 in June with two four-baggers and five RBI. 

Pick: Over 7.5 (+100 at FanDuel) 

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