Sunday, August 23, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Matt Wisler (5-3) vs. Jason Hammel (6-5)

The Chicago Cubs host the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on Sunday. Matt Wisler is the probable starter for the Braves and he'll face Jason Hammel of the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta at +208 and Chicago at -226. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Braves have a 61-54 over/under record and a 64-58 run line mark, meaning they cover 53% of the time. The Cubs are 56-64 against the run line and have a 51-61 over/under record. They cover the spread 47% of the time.

The Braves head into this matchup with a 53-69 record, including 21-45 on the road. Starting pitcher Matt Wisler holds a 5-3 record with an earned run average of 4.65 and a WHIP of 1.52. He's pitched 62 innings thus far while surrendering 74 hits over that time and when he starts, the Braves are 6-5. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 5-6. The team is averaging 3.6 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 357 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.28. The bullpen has struck out 320 and walked 143 batters this season while opposing teams hit .258 against them. Atlanta has a team average of 9.14 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.36 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.17, they are 23rd in the league.

Atlanta is batting .252 as a team, which is good for 17th in the league and hitting .252 away from home. The Braves on-base percentage sits at .312, which puts them at 17th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .361. With 139 hits, Nick Markakis leads the team while his team ranks 19th in hits per game with 8.49.

With a 36-26 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 69-51 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.38, Jason Hammel will come into this game holding a 6-5 record and a 1.09 WHIP. He's pitched 130.2 innings thus far while surrendering 115 hits over that time in which the Cubs are 11-12. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 10-13. The team is averaging 4 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 348 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.40. The Cubs bullpen has struck out 380 batters and walked 140 this season while opposing teams have hit .235 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.22 hits per game and are averaging 8.71 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.51, they are 5th in the league.

They are batting .242 as a team, which is good for 28th in the league and hitting .234 at home. The Cubs on-base percentage sits at .319, which puts them at 13th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .387. With 126 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 28th in hits per game with 8.17.

In terms of team defense, the Braves have a fielding percentage of .986 with 65 total errors, 1,199 assists and 3,223 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Cubs have accumulated 79 errors while having 1231 assists and 3,257 put outs leading to a .983 fielding percentage.

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

The Atlanta Braves are 61-54 against the over/under so far this season

The Atlanta Braves are 64-58 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 51-61 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 56-64 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)
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 expected to start Saturday vs Atlanta Braves
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)

Tony's Pick: Take the Cubs

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