September 2, 2025

Game Preview

Written by: Jake Turner

Jake is a veteran sports analyst with over 10 years of MLB prop betting experience.

Braves vs Cubs: Betting Preview & Props (Sep 02)

Last updated: September 02, 2025

Game Time: 9/2, 07:40PM

Today's Setup

The Atlanta Braves head to Wrigley Field to face the Chicago Cubs in what is shaping up to be a pivotal matchup. With DraftKings listing the Cubs as a −180 favorite and the Braves as a +147 underdog, it's clear that the majority of the betting public is siding with Chicago, as 76% of the money is backing the Cubs. This sets the stage for an intense showdown between two formidable teams.

Mound Matchup

Pitching Matchup: Joey Wentz (ATL) vs Shota Imanaga (CHC)

Joey Wentz (ATL):

Four-Seam Fastball (46% usage, 93.5 mph)
Cutter (35% usage, 85.8 mph)
Curveball (17% usage, 79.6 mph)
Changeup (1% usage, 86.1 mph)

Joey Wentz is a velocity-heavy pitcher, relying primarily on his four-seam fastball and cutter to set the tone. The Cubs lineup, however, has shown resilience against such arsenals, with an average of .254 this season and a projected xBA of .254 against Wentz's offerings.

Shota Imanaga (CHC):

Four-Seam Fastball (51% usage, 90.8 mph)
Splitter (32% usage, 82.9 mph)
Sweeper (15% usage, 80.2 mph)
Curveball (2% usage, 71.6 mph)
Sinker (1% usage, 87.8 mph)
Slider (1% usage, 81.4 mph)

Shota Imanaga showcases a diverse pitch mix, making him a pitch-mix artist. The Braves lineup averages .255 this season but projects only .244 against Imanaga's arsenal, indicating a challenging matchup for Atlanta's hitters.

Offensive Breakdown

Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges

For ATL vs Shota Imanaga:

The Braves average .254 this season but project to .244 against Imanaga's arsenal.
Sean Murphy: Season BA .204 → xBA vs arsenal .272 (+68 points), Season K% 31.2% → Arsenal K% 33.1% (+1.9%)

For CHC vs Joey Wentz:

The Cubs lineup averages .250 this season and projects to .254 against Wentz's arsenal.
Dansby Swanson: Season BA .249 → xBA vs arsenal .324 (+75 points), Season K% 26.2% → Arsenal K% 28.4% (+2.2%)
Kyle Tucker: Season BA .270 → xBA vs arsenal .209 (-61 points), Season K% 14.7% → Arsenal K% 18.7% (+4.0%)

Contact vs Strikeout Profile

Strikeout Risks & Rewards

The Braves' projected K-rate is 26.7% vs Imanaga — up 4.5% from their 22.2% season average.
The Cubs' projected K-rate is 20.6% vs Wentz — up 1.1% from their 19.5% season average.

Behind the Plate

Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

What to Bet On

📢 Prop Alert: Dansby Swanson (.249 → .324, +75 points) meets betting lean criteria!

⚡ K Prop Alert: Joey Wentz strikeout OVER - Braves' K-rate jumps to 26.7% vs this arsenal!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Dansby Swanson shows a strong increase in xBA against Wentz, making him a prime candidate for a prop bet.
Joey Wentz's high projected strikeout rate against the Braves offers a potential strikeout prop opportunity.
With the umpire assignment still unknown, bettors should be cautious about volatility in prop bets.
Overall, the Cubs are favored and present stronger statistical edges, especially in their pitching matchup.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Who is the best betting prop for the ATL vs CHC game? A: Dansby Swanson meets our strict betting criteria with a significant xBA increase against Joey Wentz.

Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment is currently TBA, adding uncertainty to prop bets.

Q: What time is the ATL vs CHC game? A: The game is scheduled for 9/2, 07:40PM.

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