Thursday, August 20, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Michael Foltynewicz (4-4) vs. Kyle Hendricks (6-5)

The Chicago Cubs welcome the Atlanta Braves to Wrigley Field on Thursday. The probable starters are Michael Foltynewicz for the Braves and Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta at +228 and Chicago at -250. The over/under was set at 8. The Braves have a 60-52 over/under record and a 63-56 run line mark, meaning they cover 53% of the time. The Cubs have a 49-60 over/under record and a 54-63 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 46% of the time.

The Braves head into this matchup with a 53-66 record, including 21-42 on the road. Starting pitcher Michael Foltynewicz holds a 4-4 record with an earned run average of 5.61 and a WHIP of 1.62. The Braves are 6-7 over his 77 innings pitched and he's also given up 99 hits over that time period. Against the over/under, the Braves are 8-4 in his starts. He is getting 4.8 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 4.32 and they've given up 350 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .258 against the Braves bullpen while walking 141 times and striking out 313 times. Atlanta is averaging 7.29 strikeouts per game while getting 9.13 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 23rd in baseball in team earned run average at 4.16.

As a team, Atlanta is batting .252, good for 17th in the league while putting together a .253 average away from home. Ranked at 17th in the league in on-base percentage, the Braves sit at .313 and they hold a .364 team slugging percentage. Nick Markakis leads the team in hits with 133 while the team ranks 19th in baseball with 8.5 hits per game.

With a 34-25 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 67-50 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.97, Kyle Hendricks will come into this game holding a 6-5 record and a 1.21 WHIP. The Cubs have a record of 13-10 over the 131.1 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 129 hits. Against the over/under, the Cubs are 12-11 when he starts. He is getting 3.9 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.30 and they have given up 329 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .231 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 138 times and striking out 366 times. Chicago is averaging 8.66 strikeouts per game while getting 8.11 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.43.

As a team, they are batting .241, good for 29th in the league while putting together a .232 average at home. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .318 and they hold a .383 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 123 while the team ranks 28th in baseball with 8.14 hits a game.

The Braves have committed 63 errors and have combined for 1,177 assists and 3,151 put outs leading to a .986 team fielding percentage. The Cubs have committed 77 errors on the season with 1200 assists and 3,176 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .983 on the year.

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

The Atlanta Braves are 60-52 against the over/under so far this season

The Atlanta Braves are 63-56 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 49-60 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 54-63 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

08/05/15 P Jason Frasor Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
08/04/15 1B Freddie Freeman Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
07/29/15 P Manny Banuelos Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/25)
07/11/15 P Jason Grilli Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (7/17); out for season
06/04/15 P Daniel Winkler Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/5)
06/02/15 P Paco Rodriguez Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/30)
05/19/15 2B Philip Gosselin Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/18)
04/07/15 P Josh Outman Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6)
04/04/15 P Mike Minor Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27); out for season
04/04/15 P Shae Simmons Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/20), out for season
04/04/15 P Chris Withrow Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/21)

Chicago Cubs

08/17/15 P Dan Haren Ankle "?" next start
07/29/15 P Neil Ramirez Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Cubs

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