Atlanta
Braves
Moneyline
+118
MLB Predictions
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Predictions
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 7:40pm EST at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
@
Chicago
Cubs
Moneyline
-143
50%
50%
Spread
Atlanta Braves +1.5
Chicago Cubs -1.5
Moneyline
Atlanta Braves +118
Chicago Cubs -143
Total
Over 8 (-105)
Under 8 (-115)
Who wins this game?
Professional Picks
9 available
Professional Picks On This Game
Tom Strickland
Money pick
Matt O'Brien
Money pick
Garrett Perry
Total pick
Blake Mitchum
Money pick
Jonah Black
Spread pick
Carlos Nunez
Money pick
Abe Howland
Spread pick
Wes Salvato
Money pick
Wes Salvato
Total pick
Braves vs. Cubs Prediction: Imanaga Tilts the Pick Toward Chicago
Analysis updated September 16, 2026 at 5:10 AM CDT
Chicago gets a tentative nod behind probable starter Shota Imanaga. The betting call is Pass at SPF's -143 moneyline.
Probable starters favor Chicago
Shota Imanaga's 3.88 ERA gives Chicago the stronger starting point against Atlanta's JR Ritchie, who carries a 4.50 ERA. Chicago Sports Wire, a Chicago sports publication, lists the left-handed Imanaga and right-handed Ritchie as probable starters for Wednesday's finale at Wrigley Field. Neither assignment is confirmed.
SPF lists the Cubs at -143 and the Braves at +118. Chicago needs to win about 58.8% of the time to break even at that price. The ERA gap supports a tentative Cubs pick, but it doesn't establish that they're likely enough to win to justify a wager.
Atlanta's relief options are reduced
CBS Sports lists Atlanta relievers Reynaldo López and Joe Jiménez as out with shoulder and knee injuries, respectively, until at least September 29 and September 25. Those absences reduce Atlanta's options if Ritchie leaves early, though they don't establish how the available relievers will perform.
SPF's total is 8, with over -105 and under -115. Without confirmed lineups or weather information, there's no supported total play. The run lines, Atlanta +1.5 and Chicago -1.5, also lack quoted prices for assessing a wager.
Pick
Chicago Cubs
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass