MLB Baseball
2018-05-15 - Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: MLB Baseball
Tuesday 15th May 2018 - First Pitch 7:35pm
British Time: 12:35am
Preview
Poor weather earlier in the season meant a number of series saw games cancelled which had to be made up so it is just a strange situation that saw these teams play a make up game in Chicago on Monday before beginning a three game series in Atlanta on Tuesday.
It was the Atlanta Braves (25-15) who won the game on Monday in a tight contest with the Chicago Cubs (21-17). That win keeps the Braves at the top of the National League East as they continue their surprising start to the season and they have now won six of their last seven games including three in a row.
On the other hand the loss means the Cubs remain above 0.500 but they are fourth in the National League Central which is looking a competitive Division. The Cubs have dropped two in a row coming into this three game series and they will be giving the ball to a pitcher who has struggled in 2018 despite a big reputation.
Yu Darvish missed his last scheduled start with the flu, but that might not have been bad news for the pitcher who is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA this season as he tries to reset mentally. He has struggled to make quality starts in his six starts for the Cubs this season and Darvish was booed by his own fans after giving up six runs in a little over 4 innings pitched earlier this month.
Darvish has faced the Atlanta Braves once this season and allowed four runs in under 5 innings pitched against them. He has to be wary of facing what has been a strong batting line up all season and the Braves will feel they can get after a vulnerable looking pitcher.
Atlanta will counter by giving the ball to Mike Foltynewicz who has a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA in 2018. The pitcher has been strong having allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his eight starts for the Braves this season and Foltynewicz comes off an outing where he gave up a single unearned run in 5 innings pitched against the Miami Marlins.
Foltynewicz has a poor 0-2 record and 7.36 ERA in his two previous starts against the Cubs, but that number is down to one really poor outing. Earlier this season Foltynewicz gave up just two runs in over 6 innings pitched against the Cubs but he was still on the wrong end of the decision because of a lack of run support that day.
Prediction
The Atlanta Braves have scored the third most runs in the Major Leagues this season and they are facing a pitcher who has been struggling in 2018.
That should give them the edge over the Chicago Cubs in the first of a three game series especially if Mike Foltynewicz continues his fine form on the mound.
As the underdog it has to be the Braves that can be backed on Tuesday.
The Pick :
Chicago Cubs 2-4 Atlanta Braves
