Braves vs. Cubs (June 18): Will Wright lead Atlanta back to winning ways at Wrigley?

After making a lot of noise over the last couple of weeks, the Atlanta Braves saw their 14-game win streak come to a rather quiet end on Friday thanks to Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs.

After lighting up the Washington Nationals to the tune of 13 home runs, 27 runs, and 37 hits in a three-game sweep earlier this week, the Braves did not score a single run against the Cubs and managed only two hits, and an eighth-inning run was all the home team needed to come away with the win.

Along with stopping Atlanta’s 14-game win streak, it stopped Chicago’s 10-game losing streak. And it was the Braves’ first shutout loss since Freddy Peralta and the Milwaukee Brewers blanked them on May 16.

Since that shutout, the reigning World Series champions are 21-8. Can Kyle Wright help kickstart another winning stretch this afternoon?

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Atlanta Braves (37-28, 17-14 road, 2nd in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (24-40, 12-24 home, 4th in the NL Central)
• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
• Game Time: 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time (1:20 p.m. local time)
• TV Broadcast/Streaming Info: Bally Sports Southeast (Braves), Marquee Sports Network (Cubs), MLB Extra Innings/MLB.TV (subscription packages)

Braves vs. Cubs Pitching Matchup

• Atlanta Braves: Kyle Wright
• Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele

Braves vs. Cubs Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be featured in this article.

Moneyline

• Atlanta Braves -168
• Chicago Cubs +142

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-115)
• UNDER 7.5 (-105)

Run Line

• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+112)
• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-134)

Is Kyle Wright’s Success Not Receiving Enough Love from Oddsmakers?

Despite the Cubs’ struggles recently, pitcher Justin Steele has certainly held his own in his two starts this month.

• June 5 vs. St. Louis: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R (1 ER)
• June 13 vs. San Diego: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R (ER)

He received a no-decision in both games, both of which the Cubs lost. But after posting an ERA above 5 in both April and May, things are trending up for the 26-year-old southpaw.

However, even with Steele pitching well this month, you would think that the Braves would be more heavily favored in this matchup, despite being the road team.

Along with Atlanta being a far superior team, there is the fact that Kyle Wright has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season.

After struggling to find his footing with the Braves after making his MLB debut in 2018, Wright has made good on his prodigious potential this season. As a result, he could very well be rewarded with a trip to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game next month at Dodger Stadium.

But that isn’t quite the case, even though Wright is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in four road starts this season. And even though Wright has nine quality starts in 12 starts this season, including five of his last six starts. And even though Wright is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three June starts.

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Best Bets

Braves vs. Cubs Prediction: Braves to win

Braves vs. Cubs Best Bets: Braves -1.5 (+112 at BetOnline) & Braves team total over 4 runs (-120 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Wright shut down the Cubs in Atlanta back on April 28, allowing just one run in seven innings and striking out eight in a 5-1 win.

Given that the Cubs scored just one run yesterday–the third time in four head-to-head matchups this season that they managed only one run–and how well Wright has been pitching, the home team is unlikely to have much success at the plate this afternoon.

The Braves, meanwhile, should fare a decent bit better against Steele than they did against Thompson.

Atlanta is hitting .263 against lefties this season, compared to .243 against righties. And in 22 games against southpaw starters, they are hitting .270 and averaging 6.2 runs per game, while in 42 games against right-handed starting pitchers, they are hitting .237 and averaging 4.1 runs per game.

Today could be a particularly fruitful day for Dansby Swanson and Michael Harris II.

Swanson is hitting .379 (22 for 58) with three homers and 13 RBI, and he is hitting .293 (17 for 58) with six doubles, two homers, and five RBI against lefties this season. At BetOnline, Swanson is +260 to record 2+ hits.

Harris is hitting .370 (20 for 54) with six doubles, a triple, two homers, and ten RBI in June, and he is hitting .333 (7 for 21) with three doubles, a triple, and five RBI against lefties in his short time in the big leagues. At BetOnline, Harris is +450 to record 2+ hits, which is exceptional value.

Yesterday was no doubt a frustrating day for the Braves, but today will not be. Look for the champs to take out some of those frustrations on Steele and the Cubs in today’s matchup.