Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction & Betting Line: April 8th 2010

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs
Prediction: Chicago Cubs +185 betting line
Visit Touthouse.com for more MLB predictions from Matt Fargo

Early in the season, analysis is going to be very thin as the plays are going to be based on value for the most part. Betting baseball is about finding the value and finding the spots where teams have an advantage over the line and not necessarily over the other team. That may sound strange and against common betting theory but baseball is a completely different betting situation because of the moneyline aspect of it. This game presents excellent value for the Cubs. I do play teams solely trying to avoid a sweep because in baseball, winning and losing streaks are more contagious than in any other sport. This line is about value and since both Chicago and Atlanta are expected to contend in their respective divisions, these two teams are on a fairly equal ground making the underdog worth a hard look. The Cubs go with Randy Wells who was very solid last season as a rookie, going 12-10 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 27 starts. He is feeling very confident as he is coming off a perfect spring where he went 4-0 and he also has confidence against the Braves as he tossed two quality games last season against Atlanta including one performance where he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before allowing a home run and then a blown save by the bullpen. Last season was his first significant one as far as innings thrown and he tired late in the year so this is the time to ride him. Tommy Hanson lived up to the hype last season and he is the reason this play is not rated higher. He went 11-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.18 WHIP which is pretty spectacular for a rookie pitcher. Now comes the pressure of living up to last season and that will be tougher than actually going through his rookie season. This will be his first ever start against the potent Cubs lineup that has yet to break out. That very could happen tonight. 3* Chicago Cubs