<p>
National League playoff contenders clash when the Braves and Cubs begin a four-game series at the Friendly Confines Monday night. Which way are we going here for our free MLB pick?
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<h2>
MLB Betting Odds<br />
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<p>
Monday's MLB betting odds opened Chicago at around -120 over Atlanta, and that figure was holding steady in the early betting action.
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</div>
<h2>
Braves vs. Cubs Set-Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Atlanta just took two of three games in Washington over the weekend, winning Sunday's series rubber match 4-3 in 10 innings. Just before that the Braves took two of three from the Mets, and just before that they took two of three from Philadelphia. Going back a bit Atlanta is 13-3 over last 16 games.
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<p>
At 46-32 overall the Braves now lead the NL East by 6.5 games over the second-place Phillies.
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<p>
Chicago, meanwhile, just split four games at home with the Mets, coming from behind to take Sunday's series finale 5-3. Just before that the Cubs split two games with the White Sox; just before that they dropped three of four games to the Dodgers; just back they lost two of three to Colorado. So Chicago is only 5-8 over its last 13 games.
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<p>
At 42-35 the Cubs lead the NL Central by a half-game over second-place Milwaukee.
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<p>
This series is the second meeting between these teams this season. Back in April Atlanta swept three games from Chicago down in Georgia.
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<h2>
Monday's Starting Arms<br />
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<p>
This pitching match-up is a rematch of a game played back on April 3 of this season, a 6-4 Braves victory. Lester and Teheran combined to allow just three runs over 11 total innings that night.
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<p>
Lefty Lester is 6/14 on quality starts this season but 0 for his last three. Last Wednesday he gave up three runs and seven hits, including two homers, through 5 2/3 innings of a 7-3 Cubs win over the White Sox. But over his last three starts, he's allowed 13 runs and 21 hits, including seven dingers, over 16 2/3 innings.
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<p>
Chicago is 8-6 with Lester this season, 3-1 over his last four starts.
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<p>
In his most recent start against the Braves, in that game played back in April, Lester allowed two runs and six hits, including two solo homers, through six innings.
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<p>
Teheran is only 5/16 on quality starts this year, but he's actually been very good as of late. Last Tuesday he got clipped by the Mets for six runs and eight hits through four frames of a 10-2 Atlanta loss. But over his eight starts previous to that Teheran allowed just four earned runs and 21 hits through 44 2/3 innings.
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<p>
The Braves are 10-6 with Teheran this season, 4-1 over his last five starts.
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<p>
Over his last two starts against the Cubs, one last year and the one earlier this season, Teheran allowed five runs and 10 hits through 11 innings. Atlanta won both those games.
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<h2>
Monday's Batting Splits<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Braves are batting .269/.340/.475 against left-handed pitching this season.
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<p>
Chicago is batting .256/.340/.449 against right-handed pitching this season.
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<h2>
The Bullpens<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Atlanta bullpen owns a 3.84 ERA this season and a 1.40 WHIP.
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<p>
The Cubs pen owns a 3.97 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.
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<h2>
Totals Report<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Overs are 44-31 in Braves games this season.
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<li>
Overs are 40-35 in Cubbies games this season.
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<li>
Overs are a combined 19-10 in games started by Lester and Teheran this season.
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<li>
Unders are 20-19 in games played at Wrigley Field this season.
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</ul>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1079123">Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs MLB Match-up Stats</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
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