The Braves are really scuffling, and so are the Cubs. So maybe this will be a good series. That will require, of course, the Braves forgetting that, at their core, they are the better team right now.
Jason Hammel looks to continue his hot start to the 2014 season, and he gets a Braves lineup that has really struggled lately. On the other bump, there’s Julio Teheran, who has emerged as the dominant righty we’ve been hearing about as a prospect for so many years. He’s a stud, and you’ll have to excuse the Cubs’ bats if they don’t quite repeat last night’s explosion.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (12-21) at Atlanta Braves (18-15), 6:35 CT on CSN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Jason Hammel (2.43 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 3.53 xFIP; 3.56 K/BB)
versus
Julio Teheran (1.80 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 3.88 xFIP; 3.67 K/BB)
Atlanta Braves Lineup
(I had to write this up and schedule it long before the lineups were actually released. Taking a guess here, and if someone could be helpful and drop the actual lineup in the comments when it’s released (by the time you’re seeing this, the lineups are actually probably already out), I’d appreciate it.)
1. Jason Heyward, RF
2. Justin Upton, LF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Evan Gattis, C
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. B.J. Upton, CF
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Dan Uggla
9. Julio Teheran, C
Chicago Cubs Lineup
(I had to write this up and schedule it long before the lineups were actually released. Taking a guess here, and if someone could be helpful and drop the actual lineup in the comments when it’s released (by the time you’re seeing this, the lineups are actually probably already out), I’d appreciate it.)
1. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
2. Luis Valbuena, 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Nate Schierholtz, RF
6. Mike Olt, 3B
7. Ryan Kalish, LF
8. John Baker, C
9. Jason Hammel, P