Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Pick and Prediction for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025
The Chicago Cubs will host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. EST in Wrigley Field. Check out our Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs pick and prediction here!
Atlanta has considered this a lost season, as they are 4th in the NL East with a 62-76 record, 12 games back of a wild card spot. However, most feel that they have the talent to make another run, but they need the right pieces to add to get back to their World Series level. Meanwhile, the Cubs are fighting hard to catch up to the Brewers in the NL Central. Currently, Chicago is 5.5 games back and they are holding the #1 wild card spot. Every game raises the stakes for Chicago as it tries to gain games on the Brewers. Chicago is favored at a -150 money line while the total is set at 8.5 runs. Can the Cubs continue to prevail at home?
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Braves lean towards Elder
Atlanta ended up choking a lead and losing in extras by a score of 7-6 to the Cubs. Drake Baldwin had two hits and two walks on the day, while Michael Harris II had four RBI to his name. Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Ozzie Albies also chipped in an RBI each. Spencer Strider had a decent outing as the starter with three runs given up in only five innings, but the bullpen faltered in the eighth inning to let the game eventually slip away in the 10th.
Atlanta didn't make any major headline moves, but they did shuffle the roster a bit. Dane Dunning was acquired from Texas for Jose Ruiz and cash. Michael Peterson was sent to Miami for cash. Stuart Fairchild was traded to the Rays for cash as well. Erick Fedde was acquired from the Cardinals for future considerations and Carlos Carrasco was acquired from the Yankees for cash. In the final two days of the deadline, Colorado sent Tyler Kinney to Atlanta for Austin Smith and Rafael Montero was sent to Detroit for Jim Jarvis.
Bryce Elder will be the starter for the Braves in this one. So far in 2025, the righty has a 5-9 record with a 5.85 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP, both above his career average. In 23 starts and 124.2 innings pitched, Elder has 99 strikeouts. While he had a solid May with a 3.18 ERA, his June and July was a disaster with an 8.25 and 7.91 ERA during those months. His August was a bit better with a 4.82 ERA, but the Braves are hoping his September can be better, starting with this outing.
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Cubs come back to beat Braves
Chicago escaped with a 7-6 victory in walk-off fashion over the Braves. Carson Kelly had a homer and three RBI while Dansby Swanson plated a pair, and Ian Happ had three hits, including a solo homer. Matt Shaw also drove in a run. Colin Rea had a mediocre performance with three runs surrendered in only four innings and Aaron Civale came out of the bullpen to provide three shutout innings to help Chicago get the win.
The Cubs didn't add much to their roster at the deadline, much to the chagrin of their fans. However, there are some names to be mentioned. Willi Castro was acquired from the Twins for Sam Armstrong and Ryan Gallagher. Michael Soroka was acquired from Washington for Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin. Andrew Kittredge was acquired from Baltimore for Wilfri De La Cruz and Taylor Rogers was acquired from Pittsburgh for Ivan Brethowr. Whether that puts them over the top remains to be seen, but with the Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, Mets, and Phillies in the mix, it is tough for me to see them having a shot.
Cade Horton will take the mound as the starter for the Cubs. The 24-year-old has been great to start his career with a 2.92 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts). In 98.2 innings pitched, the righty has a 1.19 WHIP and 81 strikeouts to his name with a 9-4 record. His May ERA was respectable with a 3.98, but his June raised some concerns with a 5.47 ERA. Horton squashed those concerns, though with back-to-back months with an ERA below 1.55. Chicago is hoping he can keep that momentum going through September and into October as well.
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (4 units)
Chicago should take this game with ease, as Bryce Elder has not been effective for most of the season and Cade Horton is pitching at an elite level right now. Chicago is 30-16 at home and the Braves are 15-28 on the road to put it in perspective. Elder's previous two starts against the Cubs were unsuccessful as well, giving up 5+ runs and lasting no more than 4.1 innings in each start. While the Cubs are pushing for not only the top wild card spot, but the division title as well, Atlanta has nothing to play for here.
Over 8.5 (5 units)
The Cubs should tee off of Bryce Elder and while Cade Horton has been sensational across his last five starts, the Braves should put up at least a couple to a few runs off him and the bullpen of Chicago. Chicago has given up 6+ runs in three of their last four games, and they are 46-36 on the over this season. Chicago scores an average of nearly 5.5 runs per game and considering the talent each offense has, I feel more confident taking the over here.
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