The Chicago Cubs (10-11, 2-4 away) take on the Atlanta Braves (9-12, 4-6 home) in a four-game series between the two National League foes. Both teams are looking for a victory after posting a pair of losses over the weekend. The two teams met in Chicago last week, with the Braves taking two of three.
The first pitch of Monday night’s game is 7 p.m. EST inside Truist Park in Cumberland, GA. Monday’s game will be a part of ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball. The Braves are favored on the money line (-180), while the total is 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Chicago Cubs
Chicago erupted for fifteen runs on 17 hits on Friday in the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. The victory was the Cubs fourth in a row. Chicago dropped the final two of the NL Central series and sit 3.0 games out of first place.
Right-hander Zach Davies (1-2, 8.80 ERA, 2.09 WHIP) gets the nod on the mound for the visiting Cubs. Davies pitched 4.0 innings in his last start, allowing two earned runs on five hits, two walks, and a pair of strikeouts.
The Cubs are tied for third in the majors with 28 home runs. Shortstop Javier Baez and catcher Wilson Contreras lead the team with six home runs apiece. Baez is T8th in the MLB with 17 runs driven in.
Third baseman Kris Bryant leads the team in OBP (.373) and average (.292) for a team that averages 4.6 runs per game. The former All-Star is having a bounce-back season, with five home runs and 15 runs scored.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
Atlanta continues its home stretch after dropping two of three to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Park. The Braves have been a disappointment over the first month of the season, sitting in under .500 and in third place in the NL East.
The Braves counter on the mound with veteran Charlie Morton (1-1, 3.91 ERA, 1.17 WHIP). Morton was solid in a no-decision in his last start, completing 6.0 innings of work with one earned run allowed, three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts.
Sunday was not the day to be an Atlanta Braves fan. Playing in a pair of seven-inning ballgames due to Saturday’s postponement, the Braves mustered up just one hit over 14 innings of play and were no-hit in the nightcap.
Atlanta’s tied with the Cubs in home runs, 25% of the output from outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is having a blistering start at the plate, hitting .371 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 21 runs scored.
The Pick is In
The pitching matchup doesn’t scream ‘must watch’ television, but the two offenses generate enough interest for viewers to tune in. These teams rely on the long ball and struggle to manufacture runs if the ball isn’t leaving the ballpark. Given Morton’s history as an above-average arm lately, the veteran will limit the scoring by the Cubs better than Davies.
Game one of a four-game set goes to the Braves in a 6-3 victory.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves ML
