Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs, Prediction , Odds & Best Bets: May 21st, 2024

Two National League Goliath's take on one another at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs host the Atlanta Braves tonight on TBS.

Both teams currently sit in 2nd place of their respective division, with the Cubs just 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The Philadelphia Phillies have a bit of a bigger lead on the Braves, leading the NL East by 5 games already. Can the Braves get a win tonight on the road? Or will the Cubs stay hot at Wrigley?

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Cubbies Host Braves on TBS

Matchup Information

• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Date: Tuesday, May 21st, 2024
• First Pitch: 7:40pm Eastern
• Where to Watch: TBS

Pitching Matchup

• Atlanta Braves: Charlie Morton (3-1, 3.52 ERA)
• Chicago Cubs: Javier Assad (4-0, 1.49 ERA)

Betting Odds

Odds vis BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Run Line

• Braves -1.5 (+130)
• Cubs +1.5 (-150)

Money Line

• Braves -121
• Cubs +111

Total

• Over 10.5 (+105)
• Under 10.5 (-125)

Can Chicago Respond After Losing Home Series to Pirates?

Just a series ago, the Cubs and Braves faced off in Atlanta for 3 games. The Braves took the first two of the series, but dropped game three, bringing the season series to 2-1 in favor of Atlanta. The Cubs were actually shut out the first two games, losing 2-0, and 7-0, before their bats came alive in game 3, beating Atlanta 7-1.

The Cubs headed back home to the Pirates, where despite their 14-9 record at home, the Cubs lost 3/4 to Pittsburgh. The Braves also looked a little shaky in their most recent series, losing 3/4 to the Padres at home as well. Now, Atlanta is just 11-9 on the road this season, and Morton already had a shaky outing against Chicago.

Morton started in Game 3, where the Braves lost 7-1. He gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in just 3 innings, including a home run. Morton has allowed a home run in 3 straight games, and despite his 3-1 record, the Braves are 4-4 overall in games where he starts. Javier Assad also pitched in that same Cubs win.

Assad lasted 6 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits and a walk on 7 strikeouts. He's allowed just 12 hits and 1 earned run in his 3 starts over the course of 16.1 innings, and I like him to shove again tonight. I think the Cubs bats come alive at home against Morton, and I'll be backing the Cubbies as underdogs at home.

Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Best Bets

Best Bets: Cubs ML (+111) BetOnline

We are backing the Cubs as an underdog at Wrigley Field today. The Cubs have never lost three games in a row all season long, they are 15-6 coming off a loss, and they are 14-9 at home this year. Plus, they've lost 3 of their L4 at home. I think this is the perfect time to back the Cubs against a team they recently beat, but are also looking for some revenge as they lost the series.

The Cubs bats are more than capable at home. The Cubs rank 24th in batting average, hitting .230 as a team. That average jumps to .235 at home, ranking 18th in the MLB. I also think one Cubs hitter will have a great game.

Bonus Bets: Cody Bellinger Hit (-228) BetOnline

Now, this is juicy, so feel free to check out my MLB Best Bets piece to figure out what I'm pairing this with. Bellinger is currently on an 11 game hitting streak against Atlanta, with multiple hits in 7 of those contests. He had 4 total hits in the 3 games series last week, and overall I like him to stay hot. He has hits in 75% of games at home this season, including his L2 overall, and he has hits in 8 of his L10.

I think Cody stays hot, and the Cubs pull off the victory tonight at home.

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