Thursday June 27th MLB Free Betting Pick: Braves at Cubs
Chicago Tries to Salvage Split in Warm Day at Wrigley Field
Oddsmakers are calling the June 27th MLB free betting pick a close one with visiting Atlanta at -106 vs. the Cubs, listed at -115. After dropping the series opener, Atlanta has escaped with two wins in a row and has great value on Thursday afternoon with wins in 18 of their last 24 games. It’s 84 degrees at Wrigley with the wind blowing in and the O/U looks a bit on the high side at 10.5.
Atlanta A Solid Wager As of Late
The Braves have gone 4-2 on their current road trip to stay ahead of the streaking Phillies (3 wins in a row) by 5.5 games in the East. Atlanta has cashed in the last two nights at Wrigley Field at -106 in Tuesday’s 3-2 win and +115 in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory. Ozzie Albies continues to be a Cub killer going 11-24 (.458) with 2 HR vs. Chicago on the season. Ronald Acuna also has 2HR in 20AB vs. the Cubs on the year including a long ball on the first pitch of the game on Tuesday. The Braves as a team have hit .432 (16-37) vs. Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood.
The Braves offense should have no worries in the June 27th MLB betting free pick but there are some question marks surrounding their pitching in the series finale. That’s because 21-year-old Bryse Wilson will be called up from Triple-A for just his 3rd career start in the big leagues. Wilson last pitched in the majors in a relief appearance 2 months ago, holding Colorado scoreless for 1.0 IP. It was much better than his start on March 30th which resulted in the Phillies walking 4 times and scoring 4ER in just a 3.1 IP outing for Wilson.
Will Cubs Get to Show Off Their New Toy?
Chicago hopes to have shored up their bullpen issues with Craig Kimbrel expected to be called up to the show for the June 27th MLB betting free pick. Of course the big question is whether the Cubs will be in the position for Kimbrel to make his team debut as closer? Kimbrel could also not be needed due to a blowout spot of course as the veteran Cubs lineup takes on a greenhorn pitcher. Chatwood gets the start for Joe Maddon’s squad after allowing 2ER but in just 4.0 IP last time out vs. the Mets. Thursday will be Chatwood’s 3rd start of the season and 2nd in a row for the injured Kyle Hendricks. Chatwood has been much better at Wrigley, with a 2.35 ERA compared to 5.63 on the road.
No Cubs batters have ever faced Atlanta’s Wilson but Maddon would like to see the bats show up like they did in Monday’s 8-3 series opening win. Willson Contreras has been hot for Chicago this series going 5-10 with 2HR’s, a double, and a triple. Kris Bryant was hot Wednesday, going 3-5 with his 16th HR of the season.
Top Trends:
- Braves are 14-3 last 17 vs. RH starter
- Braves are 18-6 last 24 overall
- Cubs are 51-24 last 75 home games vs. RH starter
- Cubs are 6-0 in Chatwood’s last 6 home starts
- Braves are 5-2 last 7 in Chicago
June 27th MLB Betting Free Pick
Thursday’s tilt is a tough one to call just because Atlanta has been so good lately yet they send a young pitcher to the bump for the series finale. Chatwood has also been very solid at Wrigley on the season. The Cubs need a split today and they’d love to debut their new closer for a raucous home crowd.
MLB Free Pick: Chicago Cubs -115
