Series Preview: Braves at Cubs, April 13 – April 15, 2018

Although going to three straight Cubs games this week was a blast, I’m actually looking forward to catching this particular one from the couch. And it’s not just about getting comfy – watching baseball on TV makes analyzing the games a lot easier, particularly for pitchers – and I can’t wait to get another close look at Yu Darvish later today.

Hopefully, he can cruise through the Braves lineup like the stud that he is, but it’s worth pointing out that they’re scoring the second most runs per game in the National League right now (behind only the Pirates, naturally). In other words, it probably won’t be as easy as it should be. When you’re hot, you’re hot.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (6-6) were not able to get the series win against the Pirates this week and they’ve flirted with .500 all year. Hopefully, against a weaker Braves team, they can hit the gas and create some separation from their even record.

The Atlanta Braves (7-5) may not be destined to win their division, but they’re playing well (5.67 runs scored per game is fourth best in baseball, 2nd in the NL) and still have exciting prospects to call up before the year is over.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

  • Friday, April 13 at 1:20 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, MLBN (out-of-market only), 670 The Score, WRTO 1200
  • Saturday, April 14 at 1:20 on NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score
  • Sunday, April 15 at 1:20 on WGN, 670 The Score
  • Chicago Cubs

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Yu Darvish (5.23 ERA, 4.48 FIP; 4.33 K/BB)
  • Jose Quintana (4.50 ERA, 3.20 FIP; 1.33 K/BB)
  • Tyler Chatwood (4.91 ERA, 4.12 FIP; 1.57 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – Willson Contreras
  • 1B – Victor Caratini/Ben Zobrist
  • 2B – Javy Baez
  • 3B – Kris Bryant
  • SS – Addison Russell
  • LF – Kyle Schwarber
  • CF – Ian Happ/Albert Almora/Jason Heyward
  • RF – Jason Heyward/Ben Zobrist
  • *Anthony Rizzo is on the disabled list and is not eligible to return this series.

    Atlanta Braves

    Probable Pitchers:

  • Anibal Sanchez (2.25 ERA, 4.53 FIP; 1.60 K/BB)
  • Sean Newcomb (4.35 ERA, 2.55 FIP; 3.75 K/BB)
  • Julio Teheran (7.07 ERA, 7.39 FIP; 1.20 K/BB)
  • Active Depth Chart:

  • C – Kurt Suzuki
  • 1B – Freddie Freeman
  • 2B – Ozzie Albies
  • 3B – Rio Ruiz
  • SS – Dansby Swanson
  • LF – Preston Tucker
  • CF – Ender Inciarte
  • RF – Nick Markakis
  • Keep an Eye Out For …

    Cubs Pitcher: Justin Wilson had one bummer of a game yesterday, walking three and giving up two homers, while recording just two outs. What’s worse is the outing prior, against the Brewers, he went through three straight batters with two strikeouts and a fly out, continuing a trend of success in the early going. Hopefully, Wilson gets right back out there in a tough spot this weekend, because, for relievers, that’s the best cure for a blowup. Well, sometimes. Unless they blow up again.

    Cubs Player: Kyle Schwarber had a big game yesterday, which means his slash line for the season is now an excellent .270/.357/.595. Meanwhile, his 11.9% walk rate and 40% hard-hit rate look mighty good next to a *ding-ding-ding-ding* 28.6% strikeout rate. Can he maintain this current level of production (155 wRC+) throughout the entire year? I think he can.

    Braves PitcherJulio Teheran’s season stats may not look great, but that’s mostly because of a disastrous second start of the season against the Nationals (2.1 IP, 6H, 5ER, 3BB, 2Ks), wherein he allowed three homers in less than three innings, but he’s better than that. In fact, his very next start also came against the Nationals, and he went 6.0 innings in that one, allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven. He’s no lock to dominate, but he has it in him. Don’t start underestimating him now.

    Braves PlayerFreddie Freeman is off to his usual, dominating nonsense, with a .325/.518/.625 slash line that matches Bryce Harper with a 207 wRC+. And if you can believe this, he’s currently walking (28.6%) exactly TWICE as much as he’s striking out (14.3%). Dude’s locked in.

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

    Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

    How to Watch Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Cleveland Guardians (1-0), led by Jose Ramirez, visit Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Athletics and when does...

    more cubs news