MLB Odds: Cubs-Braves prediction, odds and pick

The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves will play a three-game series at Trust Park on Thursday evening. Chicago won the first game 6-3 yesterday. The Cubs are 8-10 and are trying to get closer to the .500 mark. Atlanta is 8.11 and is 5.5 games behind the Mets for the NL East lead.

The Chicago Cubs beat the Braves on Wednesday to earn their eighth win of the season. They are tied for third place in the league with 91 runs. The team is playing their 19th game in 2022. They need to play aggressively on the base paths and be patient at the plate to cover the spread. Chicago won the World Series in 2008. Their players are getting better each day. Ian Happ is the best player on their team with a team-leading .340 batting average.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to come off the injured list and play on Thursday. Ronald Acuña Jr., the Braves' franchise cornerstone, is slashing .281/.392/.593 with 24 long balls and led the MLB with 71 runs scored last year. Kyle Wright, the former fifth pick of the 2017 MLB Draft, has 26 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.

The return of Acuna Jr. is a factor that should not be overlooked. Kyle Wright looks ready to take the next step in becoming the Atlanta ace. Chicago is only 2-8 in their past ten games against Atlanta.