The last time the Cubs faced the Braves was last Wednesday — that’s five days ago. (If that lead-in sounds familiar, check out last week’s Cubs/Braves series preview.)
Since these teams last met, the Cubs lost two of three to the Nationals and the Braves dropped two of three to the Mariners, so neither team had a very good weekend (and Atlanta got clobbered by Seattle on Sunday, losing 18-2). Here’s hoping for better for the Cubs this week, especially after Sunday’s disaster against the Nationals at Wrigley
Field.
After last week’s series you are probably pretty familiar with the Braves, but for more check out our SB Nation Braves site Battery Power.
Fun facts
The Cubs hosted the Braves last Monday through Wednesday. This is the last of three times this season that the Cubs will face an opponent twice in a span of three series. The earlier times were May 12-14 and 19-21, vs. the Marlins, at home, then on the road, and May 23-25 and May 30-June 1, vs. the Reds, on the road, then at home.
Two losses in this series will raise the Cubs’ total to 600 on the road against the Braves. They have lost exactly 600 on the road against the Phillies and more against four teams: the Giants (632), Reds (638), Cardinals (675) and Pirates (712).
Since sweeping three games in 2017, the Cubs have lost five straight series at Atlanta: three straight in 2019 and 2023, three of four in 2021 and two of three in 2022 and last year.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Monday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (9-6, 3.15 ERA, 0.935 WHIP, 4.58 FIP) vs. Bryce Elder, RHP (6-9, 5.54 ERA, 1.428 WHIP, 4.73 FIP)
Tuesday: Cade Horton, RHP (9-4, 2.78 ERA, 1.138 WHIP, 3.69 FIP) vs. Spencer Strider, RHP (5-12, 4.97 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, 4.78 FIP)
Wednesday: TBD vs. Chris Sale, LHP (5-4, 2.38 ERA, 1.098 WHIP, 2.60 FIP)
TBD on Wednesday is likely going to be Jameson Taillon activated from the IL, presuming his health checks out okay.
Times & TV channels
Monday: 6:15 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Tuesday: 6:15 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Wednesday: 6:15 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
The Cubs took two of three from the Braves at Wrigley Field last week. I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t do exactly that again.
Up next
The Cubs have Thursday off, then return to Wrigley Field to host the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series beginning Friday afternoon.
