What's at stake

Which team wins the game and which side of the totals and run lines pays out for bettors.

Markets include the moneyline, three total-run thresholds (7.5, 8.5, 9.5), run lines at -1.5 and -2.5, and whether a run is scored in the first inning.

Who's in play

Starting pitchers and the bullpens set the game’s shape and decide how deep starters go into innings.

Key hitters in Chicago’s lineup and Atlanta’s power core, plus bench bats and closer availability, drive totals and run-line margins.

What drives it

Weather, wind direction, and ballpark dimensions change home-run likelihood and overall scoring.

Manager choices on batting order, bullpen deployment, pitch sequencing, and late scratches or injuries can swing totals, spreads, and the first-inning run market.

What to watch

Probable pitchers and official lineups usually post about an hour before first pitch; those announcements immediately alter run and first-inning probabilities.

Watch the weather report, bullpen availability notes, early-inning scoring, pitch counts through three innings, and any late scratches or game-delay notices for real-time shifts.