Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Prediction for Thursday May 14 2026
The Chicago Cubs visit the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM ET with coverage available on MLB.TV. The weather forecast for the game is 71 degrees. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Chicago enters this matchup trying to recover after a difficult start to the series, while Atlanta continues to play some of the strongest baseball among the teams on Thursday’s slate. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks.
Starting Pitchers Featured at Truist Park
Ben Brown is expected to start for Chicago and enters with a 1-1 record, 1.82 ERA, and an excellent 0.91 WHIP across 29.2 innings. Brown has allowed just 18 hits while striking out 27 batters, walking nine, and surrendering one home run. Atlanta is projected to counter with Chris Sale, who carries a 6-2 record with a 2.20 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 49.0 innings. Sale has allowed 31 hits while recording 56 strikeouts, issuing 12 walks, and giving up six home runs. 
Cubs Looking to Stop the Slide
Chicago enters this contest with a 27-15 overall record and a 9-10 road mark. The Cubs recently lost to Atlanta 5-2 after previously recently losing to Texas 3-0 and 6-0. Before those losses, Chicago recently won over Texas 7-1 and recently won over Cincinnati 8-3. The Cubs have dropped three straight games entering this matchup and are searching for more offensive consistency after being held to two runs or fewer in each of those defeats.
The Cubs are batting .248 as a team with 217 runs, 352 hits, and 52 home runs. Chicago owns a strong .343 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging percentage. On the mound, the Cubs have produced a 3.85 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .230 batting average. The pitching staff has also recorded 342 strikeouts while issuing 131 walks.
One major strength for Chicago has been balance. The Cubs hold strong numbers both offensively and on the mound, particularly with the .343 on-base percentage and 3.85 ERA. However, the recent offensive slowdown has created pressure on the pitching staff during this current losing streak.
Braves Continue Strong Stretch at Home
Atlanta enters this matchup with a 29-13 overall record and a 13-6 home mark. The Braves recently won over Chicago 5-2 and have now won three of their last five games overall. Before defeating the Cubs, Atlanta recently won over Los Angeles 7-2 twice before recently losing to Los Angeles 3-1. The Braves also recently lost to Seattle 3-1 during this stretch but have consistently bounced back with strong offensive performances.
The Braves are batting .272 as a team with 233 runs, 394 hits, and 59 home runs. Atlanta owns a .335 on-base percentage and an outstanding .452 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, the Braves have posted a 3.11 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .207 batting average. Atlanta pitchers have also recorded 368 strikeouts with 147 walks.
Atlanta’s biggest strength entering this matchup is the complete offensive production paired with excellent pitching. The Braves hold advantages over Chicago in batting average, runs scored, hits, home runs, slugging percentage, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. Those numbers have helped Atlanta maintain one of the strongest overall profiles entering Thursday’s action.
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Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Prediction
Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves Pick
- Pick: Atlanta Braves Moneyline
Atlanta looks like the stronger side entering this matchup. The Braves already recently won over Chicago 5-2 earlier in the series and continue to hold advantages across nearly every major statistical category. Atlanta has been especially strong offensively with 233 runs and 59 home runs while also carrying a 3.11 ERA and .207 opponent batting average. Chicago has solid overall numbers, but the recent losing streak combined with Atlanta’s dominant home profile gives the Braves the edge.
Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves Total Pick
- Pick: Under 8
I would lean toward the under in this matchup because both starting pitchers enter with excellent numbers. Ben Brown carries a 1.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, while Chris Sale owns a 2.20 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Chicago has also struggled offensively during the current losing streak, scoring just two total runs across its last three losses. Even with Atlanta’s strong lineup, this pitching matchup has the potential to keep scoring under control.
Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Braves 4 – Chicago Cubs 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Wednesday.
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