Cubs vs. Braves: Predictions, and Where to Watch (9/8/25)

The Chicago Cubs open a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves tonight at Truist Field in Atlanta.

The Cubs are watching the NL Central race slip further away as each September day passes by. They now sit 7.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who have won three straight. Chicago enters this series on a two-game skid.

Despite those struggles, the Cubs still hold a comfortable cushion in the NL Wild Card race. They lead the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants by nine games for the third and final Wild Card spot. The New York Mets are currently in third place, but the Reds, Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and St. Louis Cardinals all remain within striking distance of that final berth.

So the Cubs are playoff-bound, as long as they keep up with the rest.

Today’s starter, Shota Imanaga, is key to helping them maintain that momentum in the final stretch. The left-hander is 9–6 with a 3.15 ERA and has been steady in recent outings, posting a 3.20 ERA over his last seven starts. In his lone appearance against the Braves last week, he allowed three runs on five hits, including two home runs, over six innings — good enough for the win.

Bryce Elder gets the ball for Atlanta. He’s struggled for much of the season with a 6–9 record and a 5.54 ERA, but he’s managed to turn a corner since August.

After a rough June and July stretch where his ERA ballooned near 8.00, Elder has gone 2–2 with a 4.06 ERA over his last seven starts. That run includes a dominant outing against the Cubs last week when he tossed seven shutout innings. Over his past three starts — all against playoff-caliber opponents — he has allowed just three earned runs in total.

Predictions

Imanaga’s steadiness gives Chicago the edge, even with Elder’s recent rebound. The Cubs take the opener.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Braves 2

Starting Lineups

Chicago Cubs

1. Michael Busch – 1B

2. Ian Happ – LF

3. Seiya Suzuki – RF

4. Pete Crow‑Armstrong – DH

5. Nico Hoerner – 2B

6. Willi Castro – CF

7. Dansby Swanson – SS

8. Matt Shaw – 3B

9. Reese McGuire – C

Starting Pitcher: Shōta Imanaga (LHP) – 9–6, 3.15 ERA

Atlanta Braves

1. Jurickson Profar – LF

2. Matt Olson – 1B

3. Ozzie Albies – 2B

4. Ha‑Seong Kim – SS

5. Drake Baldwin – C

6. Ronald Acuña Jr. – RF

7. Michael Harris II – CF

8. Marcell Ozuna – DH

9. Nacho Álvarez Jr. – 3B

Starting Pitcher: Bryce Elder (RHP) – 6–9, 5.54 ERA

How to Watch Cubs vs. Braves

First pitch for tonight’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves is set for 7:20 PM Eastern at Truist Park in Atlanta.

The game airs live on Marquee Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network South, and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. Out-of-market viewers can stream the game live on MLB.TV.

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves

Date: Monday, September 8, 2025

First Pitch: 7:20 PM Eastern

Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

TV: Marquee Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast

Streaming: MLB.TV