Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs 6/17/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

In Friday afternoon MLB action, the Atlanta Braves will travel to historic Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. The Braves (37-27) have reeled off 14 straight victories and have closed to within four games of New York for the NL East Division lead. On Wednesday, Atlanta OF Austin Riley homered twice during an 8-2 road triumph against Washington.

Thirty-eight year old righty Charlie Morton (4-3 5.67 ERA) will take the mound for the Braves in this matchup. Atlanta has won four of Morton’s last five starts and he has given up 19 runs over his last 25 plus frames.

The Chicago Cubs are looking to snap a ten-game losing streak and have fallen into a tie with Cincinnati in the NL Central Division basement. On Thursday, Chicago went 1-for-6  with runners in scoring position and struck out 11 times during a 6-4 home loss versus San Diego. OF Christopher Morel hit a solo shot in a losing effort for the Cubs (23-40).

Chicago manager David Ross will turn to right-hander Keegan Thompson (6-2 3.67 ERA) on Friday. The Cubs have dropped Thompson’s last two starts and he has been tagged for 12 runs (10 ER) over his last three plus innings.