The Cubs will look to win for the fourth straight Friday.
If that sounds like a strange thing to say, it is. But prior to the current Friday win streak, the Cubs lost 10 straight times on Friday. It’s just been a strange thing. So I mention it.
Kyle Hendricks got knocked around by the White Sox so badly last time out that he decided to head to the video – the AA video, trying to correct mechanical issues that he said had plagued him all year. Today, we’ll see if he looks better. If you’ve got a discerning eye, you should notice him a little more square as he delivers, which will hopefully allow him to work the bottom of the zone a little more consistently and accurately.
Shelby Miller goes for the Braves, sporting his microscopic ERA and decent-not-great peripherals. Still, he’s been doing that kind of thing for years – none better than this – so you have to consider him legit good at this point. The Cubs’ offense has been hot for a long time (minus one Chris Sale start), so this is an interesting matchup.
Game Info
Atlanta Braves (53-68) at Chicago Cubs (68-51), 3:05 CT on CSN, MLBN and MLB.tv.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Shelby Miller (2.43 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 3.86 xFIP; 2.46 K/BB)
versus
Kyle Hendricks (3.97 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 3.44 xFIP; 3.70 K/BB)
Atlanta Braves Lineup
1. Nick Markakis, RF
2. Cameron Maybin, CF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. A.J. Pierzynski, C
5. Jace Peterson, 2B
6. Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Michael Bourn, LF
9. Shelby Miller, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kyle Schwarber, LF
3. Chris Coghlan, 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, 3B
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Jorge Soler, RF
8. Kyle Hendricks, P
9. Addison Russell, SS