Chicago Cubs (1-3) at Atlanta (1-3)
When: Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
Where: SunTrust Park,
Cumberland, Georgia
Time: 7:20 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Chicago -112/8.5
Opening Day starters Jon Lester and Julio Teheran will battle in the second of a three-game series Wednesday night on ESPN, as the Chicago Cubs visit the Atlanta Braves. Before Tuesday’s off day, the Braves took out some frustration with an 8-0 pounding of the Cubs in the opener Monday after getting throttled in Philadelphia over the weekend. The Braves bullpen was horrendous in losing all three games to the Phillies, but came together on Monday with five scoreless – and walk-free – innings. Atlanta made headlines on Tuesday’s off day by signing superstar Ronald Acuna, Jr. to an eight-year, $100 million contract extension, and the reigning NL Rookie of the Year delivered his first home run of the season on Monday. The Braves also got a homer from center fielder Ender Inciarte, and three hits from second baseman Ozzie Albies after being outscored 23-11 in Philadelphia. The Cubs’ pitching woes continued after a bad opening weekend themselves, and have surrendered 27 runs on 34 hits in 24.1 innings during their current three-game losing streak. Chicago’s defense was not much better on Monday, committing six errors in a nine-inning game for the first time since 1982. Kris Bryant (5-for-16, two doubles, HR) and Kyle Schwarber (5-for-12, two homers) are off to hot starts for Chicago.
Pitchers: Cubs – Jon Lester (1-0, 3.00 ERA) | Braves – Julio Teheran (0-1, 5.40)
Chicago’s only victory came on Opening Day with Lester on the mound, and the veteran lefty held Texas to two runs on four hits with three strikeouts over six innings in the 12-4 win. It was a very encouraging start for Lester, who allowed 18 earned runs on 23 hits over 15.1 innings across five starts in Spring Training. Lester started 32 games last season, but oddly did not face Atlanta and is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine career starts against them.
Despite Atlanta’s 10-4 loss in Philadelphia on Opening Day, Teheran pitched well, giving up three runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts across five innings. Teheran made the starting rotation with a solid spring in which he struck out 21 with only two walks in 17 innings. He is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the Cubs.
The Braves are a lot better than they showed in Philadelphia and proved that in Monday’s opener. The bullpen got back their confidence and a days rest to boot. Look for the Braves to get to Lester and for Teheran to keep the Cubs’ bats at bay.
Bobby Babowski also has a pick in this game over on his MLB Picks page. Bobby is off to a sizzling 12-4 start!
Pick: Braves -105
BETTING TRENDS:
Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 25-11 in their last 36 during game 2 of a series.
Cubs are 20-9 in their last 29 vs. National League East.
Cubs are 26-12 in their last 38 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 25-12 in their last 37 games following a loss.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
Cubs are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
Cubs are 1-6 in their last 7 games following an off day.
Cubs are 18-3 in Lester’s last 21 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-1 in Lester’s last 6 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 41-10 in Lester’s last 51 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 8-2 in Lester’s last 10 starts with 5 days of rest.
Cubs are 4-1 in Lester’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 4-1 in Lester’s last 5 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 16-5 in Lester’s last 21 starts vs. National League East.
Cubs are 9-3 in Lester’s last 12 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Cubs are 6-2 in Lester’s last 8 starts during game 2 of a series.
Cubs are 20-7 in Lester’s last 27 road starts.
Cubs are 10-4 in Lester’s last 14 Wednesday starts.
Cubs are 30-12 in Lester’s last 42 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 38-16 in Lester’s last 54 starts on grass.
Cubs are 38-17 in Lester’s last 55 starts.
Braves are 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Braves are 7-1 in their last 8 home games.
Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 overall.
Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 games on grass.
Braves are 0-5 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Braves are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a win.
Braves are 0-5 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Braves are 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Braves are 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Braves are 6-2 in Teheran’s last 8 Wednesday starts.
Braves are 5-2 in Teheran’s last 7 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Braves are 1-4 in Teheran’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Braves are 1-4 in Teheran’s last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Over is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 6-1 in Cubs last 7 Wednesday games.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 games following an off day.
Over is 7-2 in Cubs last 9 road games.
Over is 6-0 in Lester’s last 6 starts with 5 days of rest.
Over is 4-0 in Lester’s last 4 road starts.
Over is 5-1 in Lester’s last 6 starts during game 2 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in Lester’s last 5 Wednesday starts.
Over is 6-2 in Lester’s last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 15-5-1 in Lester’s last 21 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 13-6 in Lester’s last 19 starts on grass.
Over is 13-6 in Lester’s last 19 starts overall.
Over is 3-0-1 in Braves last 4 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 3-0-1 in Braves last 4 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0-1 in Braves last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 4-0 in Braves last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 7-1 in Braves last 8 games following an off day.
Under is 5-1-1 in Braves last 7 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Braves last 5 home games.
Under is 26-10 in Braves last 36 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-2-1 in Braves last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Under is 6-0-1 in Teheran’s last 7 Wednesday starts.
Under is 4-0 in Teheran’s last 4 starts vs. National League Central.
Under is 6-1 in Teheran’s last 7 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Teheran’s last 6 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
Under is 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 20-7-1 in Teheran’s last 28 home starts.
Under is 8-3 in Teheran’s last 11 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Teheran’s last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 5-0 in Lester’s last 5 starts vs. Braves.
Braves are 7-1 in Teheran’s last 8 starts vs. Cubs.
Cubs are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Atlanta.
Under is 12-4-1 in the last 17 meetings in Atlanta.
Cubs are 18-8 in the last 26 meetings.
