MLB Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (62-76) vs. Chicago Cubs (79-59)

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – First Pitch 7:40 p.m. ET
• Venue: Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60613
• Surface: Natural Grass
• Broadcast: MARQ (Cubs), FDSSO (Braves), MLB.tv (out-of-market)

Weather Report (Chicago, IL – Game Time)

• Conditions: Clear skies, light breeze
• Temperature: ~76°F (24°C)
• Wind: ~8 mph out to left-center — mild boost to RH pull hitters
• Precipitation: 0% chance
• Impact: Slightly hitter-friendly for fly balls to left

Injury Report

Atlanta Braves

• 15‑Day IL: Aaron Bummer (shoulder)
• 60‑Day IL: Austin Riley (abdominal), Grant Holmes (elbow), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), AJ Smith-Shawver (calf/elbow), Reynaldo López (shoulder), Joe Jiménez (knee)

Chicago Cubs

• 10‑Day IL: Miguel Amaya (ankle)
• 15‑Day IL: Ryan Brasier (groin), Mike Soroka (shoulder), Jameson Taillon (groin)
• 60‑Day IL: Eli Morgan (elbow), Justin Steele (elbow)

Team Records & Form

Recent Form:

• Braves: Averaging 4.6 runs/game last 10; bullpen has blown multiple late leads; 7–3 ATS in last 10.
• Cubs: Averaging 5.4 runs/game last 10; 2–8 ATS in that span; offense powered by Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki.

Projected Starting Pitchers

• ATL: LHP Joey Wentz (5–4, 4.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) – 3 quality starts in last 4; allowed 1 ER in each of those wins; career struggles vs. Cubs (14.40 ERA in 5 IP).
• CHC: LHP Shota Imanaga (8–6, 3.08 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) – 5 straight quality starts; opponents hitting .203; 2.96 ERA at home in 2025.

Key Player Matchups

Braves Offense vs. Imanaga

• Matt Olson (.269, 21 HR, 77 RBI) – Team leader in HR/RBI; 2-for-3 career vs. Imanaga.
• Ozzie Albies (.236, 13 HR, 61 RBI) – Switch-hitter with pop; 21 doubles.
• Michael Harris II (.252, 22 2B, 77 RBI) – 4 RBI in Monday’s loss; hot bat in series opener.

Cubs Offense vs. Wentz

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (.250, 28 HR, 83 RBI) – Power/speed threat; 34 doubles.
• Kyle Tucker (.267, 21 HR, 70 RBI) – 4 doubles, 3 HR in last 10 games.
• Seiya Suzuki (.247, 27 HR, 89 RBI) – 4-game hit streak; .316 BA last 5 games.

Series History

• 2025 Season: Cubs lead 1–0 after 7–6 extra-inning win on Sept. 1.
• Recent: Braves won 4 of 7 in 2024; Cubs lead all-time series 1,017–1,194–16.
• Venue Note: Cubs 6–6 vs. Braves at Wrigley since 2022.

Betting Trends

• Cubs: 63–36 as favorite; 20–7 when favored at -178 or shorter; Over in 63 of 137 games.
• Braves: 14–31 as underdog; 2–5 when +148 or longer; Over in 62 of 137 games.
• Cubs 2–8 ATS last 10; Braves 7–3 ATS last 10.
• Over is 4–1 in last 5 head-to-head games.

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• Imanaga’s home dominance vs. Braves’ .244 team BA and 18th-ranked slugging (.394)
• Wentz’s recent form solid, but career struggles vs. Cubs
• Cubs’ offensive depth and home-field edge
• Weather: mild boost to RH power