Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 9/8/25, 3:29 PM  by Carlos Zabala | Modified on 9/8/25 at 9:30 PM in MLB Picks

A not-so-fun afternoon was had by Braves fans, who had ideally come to see Strider pitch against the Mariners. Atlanta manager Stinker decided to hold him until Tuesday's game against the Cubs. Instead, Joey Wentz started Sunday's game, and he had a day to forget.

Wentz imploded, getting only 7 outs and allowing 8 runs, all in the third inning. But then the relievers Stinker brought in for Atlanta practically served as batting practice for the Mariners on Sunday. Polanco homered, Naylor homered, Raleigh hit his 53rd home run of the season, and Suárez hit two home runs.

The Braves are once again on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a blowout; they lost 2-18 and lost 2-10 to the Mariners on Saturday, who ended the Braves' good run. Not long ago, on August 29, the Braves had suffered another thrashing, 4-19 against the Phillies.

But the Cubs also lost the rubber match of their series against the Nationals at Wrigley Field. Sunday's game was a game they had in hand; they were tied 2-2 against the Nats, but Palencia had an unfortunate day out of the bullpen and allowed five earned runs in the decisive inning.