Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Can Dansby Swanson Get Cubs a Win in Atlanta?

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Can Dansby Swanson Get Cubs a Win in Atlanta?

Although we might not have football on tonight, let’s not forget postseason baseball is only a week away. There are still some great games in the final week of the regular season, including a contest between two (potential) playoff teams. The Chicago Cubs travel to Atlanta in the final NL Wildcard spot to face the NL East Champions, the Atlanta Braves. This game will also be on TBS, and I’ve got a bet you can lock in before you throw the game on tonight.

Cubs vs. Braves Date, Time and Where to Watch

• Date: September 26, 2023
• Time: 7:20 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction

Justin Steele is one of the best left-handed starting pitchers in baseball, but he hasn’t pitched like it recently. Steele has given up six runs in each of his last two starts against the Pirates and Diamondbacks. He didn’t even make it into the fourth inning in his last start against Pittsburgh, one of the worst teams in the league. With that being said, baseball is extremely volatile, and so are the seasons of even the best players in the sport.

Look at Blake Snell for example; he started the season with five straight losses and an ERA close to 6.00. Snell is also going to win the Cy Young Award this season. Both of these statements can be true in baseball because it’s the longest season out of any sport. My point is, that even the best players in baseball have rough weeks or even months. It’s not abnormal to see Justin Steele struggle for a couple of starts, and I think there’s value in betting him to bounce back with a win tonight.

Steele isn’t the only starter tonight who’s been struggling. Elder has given up four runs in each of his last two outings and has really struggled in the second half of the season. Steele is a significantly better pitcher than Elder, and the books are valuing the Braves' offense too much in this matchup. Their elite lineup won’t be able to make up for the fact that Elder is going to get absolutely shelled by a Cubs lineup that needs a win to keep their WC spot solidified.

The Cubs opened up a (+130) favorite before getting steamed to the current (+115) price. The splits on the Cubs ML are sharp, with less than 45% of bets but over 60% of handle backing the road dog. I love the line movement and storylines backing the Cubs in this spot. Not only is Justin Steele looking to bounce back and silence the doubters after two rough starts, but there’s another narrative I want to back.  Dansby Swanson will be returning home to Atlanta after spending the beginning of his career with the Braves. This could be exactly what Swanson needs; he’s struggled to hit the ground running with his new team. Back the Cubbies on the road to defeat an Atlanta team that hasn’t looked as sharp since clinching the NL East.

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Pick

PICK: CHC ML (+115) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds