The Cubs are -135 favorites in the MLB free betting pick June 24th but the big question is – should they be? Atlanta comes into Wrigley having won 2 in a row including 7 of their last 10. Chicago barely squeaked out a 4-game series split vs. the Mets over the weekend and have gone just 3-3 on their current home stand. The O/U is also 11.5 in what is – on paper at least – supposedly a pitcher’s duel.
Braves Look to Continue Their Strong Play
Atlanta has looked like the team to beat in the East as of late, using a 16-5 run over their last 21 to build up a 6.5 game lead in the division. The Braves rebounded from a series opening loss to the Nationals on Friday to score weekend wins of 13-9 and 4-3. The Braves have hit 13 HR over the past week led by 3 from Josh Donaldson. That’s a key figure to consider ahead of the MLB free betting pick June 24 as there is a 16 MPH wind blowing out to RF at Wrigley. That’s a key reason Monday’s O/U is 11.5.
Is the total in this tilt still a bit high considering Julio Teheran is on the hill for Atlanta? The right-hander did struggle the last time out allowing 6ER in just 4IP to the Mets but was nearly unhittable prior to that. Teheran allowed 1ER or less in 8 consecutive starts from May 5th to June 15th. The Braves starter allowed just 1ER in 5 IP in a start vs. Chicago earlier in the season. Regarding the wind, Teheran has also served up just 1 HR over his last 9 starts.
Does Chicago Have Momentum Coming Into Monday’s Tilt?
The Cubs were looking at dropping 3 out of 4 on the weekend to the Mets until Javier Baez came to the plate in the 8th inning on Sunday and blasted a 3-run HR to give Chicago a 5-3 victory. It was an up-and-down series for Joe Maddon’s team encapsulated by a 2-10 loss on Saturday. Chicago hasn’t had a lot of success vs. Teheran at the plate, getting just 17 hits in 101 AB (.168). That’s another reason the Cubs are a tough favorite in the MLB free betting pick June 24th. Kyle Schwarber (4-9) and Albert Almora (2-4) are the only two Chicago hitters batting above .250 vs. the Atlanta starter.
Normally the Cubs would have a perceived pitching edge in this game with Jon Lester taking teh mound at home. The veteran has been wildly inconsistent this season however allowing 4ER or more in 5 of the last 7 starts. Lester led the Cubs to a win over the White Sox his last time out, but he still surrendered 3ER in 5.2 IP. Lester has allowed 7 HR in the last 3 games which isn’t ideal vs. a) an Atlanta team that is 7th in HR hit this season and b) a wind blowing out to RF at 15 MPH.
Top Trends:
- Braves are 6-1 last 7 Monday games
- Braves are 5-1 last 6 road games
- Braves are 16-5 last 21 overall
- Braves are 4-1 in Teheran’s last 5 starts
- Cubs are 9-4 last 13 home games
- Cubs are 15-2 in Lester’s last 17 Monday starts
- Cubs are 5-1 in Lester’s last 6 starts vs. the Braves
MLB Free Betting Pick June 24th
There’s a reasonable discussion for backing either team in this one but the trends favoring the Cubs and Lester are the trends of old. The Chicago starter is always a risk to pull out a gem, but he’s been hittable more often than not as of late. Atlanta is hot – and has a much more consistent lineup for this windy night in Wrigley.
MLB Free Pick: Atlanta Braves +115
