MLB Wednesday May 22nd Braves at Cubs Betting Preview
Two Teams Battled It Out in Opener
Fans could be in for a treat on Wednesday if the May 22nd Braves at Cubs betting matchup is anything like the series opener. Chicago was able to pick up a 4-3 win on Tuesday night in a swirling win to cash out as +107 home underdogs after a Nico Hoerner walk-off groundout.
The weather has calmed down slightly for game two at Wrigley Field, but the game should be another pitcher’s duel despite the O/U being 9. Chicago is 15-9 at home, but Atlanta is a fairly significant -138 favorite on Wednesday.
Why the Braves Have Value on Wednesday
Atlanta only managed three runs in the series opener, but they forced Cubs pitcher Javier Assad into one of his worst outings of the season, hitting 2 HRs and drawing 5 BBs over 4.2 IP. If the Braves weren’t 0-14 with runners in scoring position they probably blow that game open.
The Braves offense should get going on Wednesday night against Cubs ace Justin Steele, who has an uphill battle after spending 5 weeks on the IL with a hamstring strain. Steele has given up 10 ER in his last 2 starts and has surrendered 5 HR over that 9.2 IP.
Atlanta goes with Max Fried (3-2,3.81 ERA) to try and even up the series and he loves facing the Cubs. The Atlanta left-hander has won all five of his career starts vs. Chicago with just a 1.24 ERA which includes a 3-0 record with a 1.59 ERA in three outings at Wrigley.
Why the Cubs Have Value on Wednesday
Chicago scored 4 runs on Tuesday in a swirling wind, that’s an accomplishment considering they had 6 runs in the three games prior against Pittsburgh. While that’s still not a great offensive showing, the good news is that the Atlanta bats are cold as well as they’ve tallied 3 runs or less in five of the last six.
There are some good things to come out of Tuesday’s win moving forward for the Cubs. Dansby Swanson returned from a two week injured list stint and went 2-4 while Christopher Morel showed patience in drawing 3 BBs. Hoerner had 3 K’s in the game, but kept his confidence enough to put the ball in play for the game winning RBI. Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ were just a combined 1-9 on Tuesday, but they both hit better than .345 against Fried.
Steele (0-1, 5.21 ERA) has had a couple rough outings in a row, but those were both against Pittsburgh and maybe it’s just a bad matchup. In Steele’s return from the IL he threw 4.2 IP of shutout ball against the Padres so there is a chance for success on the mound for Chicago.
Free May 22nd Braves at Cubs Betting Pick
Fried has simply dominated the Cubs, and with Steele’s recent struggles it’s hard to lay the money on the underdog even at home. Some of Chicago’s biggest bats are struggling at the plate – and although Atlanta is too it looks like the Braves even up the series here.
Free Pick: Braves -138
