Cubs Look to Keep Winning Streak Alive Against Hapless Braves – Series Preview: April 29 – May 1
The Chicago Cubs, who’ve won three games in a row, will take on the Atlanta Braves, who’ve lost 8-of-9, starting tomorrow. On paper, you’d expect the Cubs to march through this series with ease but, as they say, that’s why they play the games. You just never know what happens once you take the field.
The Cubs started the season relatively healthy but have had a few injuries lately. Kyle Schwarber is out for the year, Miguel Montero was put on the 15-day DL yesterday and Kris Bryant suffered a mild right ankle sprain in yesterday’s game.
We’ll have to wait and see how playing time gets divided over the next few days, which is particularly important as the Cubs travel to take on the surging Pittsburgh Pirates beginning on Monday before returning home to play a four-game series against the high-flying Nationals.
Game Times & Broadcast Info
- Friday, April 29 at 1:20 PM CDT on CSN
- Saturday, April 30 at 1:20 PM CDT on ABC 7
- Sunday, May 1 at 1:20 PM CDT on WGN
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Team | Pitcher | Age | Throws | ERA | W/L | K/BB |
| 4/29/2016 | Cubs | Jon Lester | 32 | L | 1.98 | 2-1 | 4.60 |
| Braves | Aaron Blair | 23 | R | 5.06 | 0-1 | 0.50 | |
| 4/30/2016 | Cubs | John Lackey | 37 | R | 4.97 | 3-1 | 4.50 |
| Braves | Julio Teheran | 25 | R | 4.60 | 0-3 | 2.27 | |
| 5/1/2016 | Cubs | Jason Hammel | 33 | R | 0.75 | 3-0 | 2.44 |
| Braves | Matt Wisler | 23 | R | 4.26 | 0-2 | 2.71 |
What to watch for
- The Cubs rank second in runs scored in the Majors with 123 and the Braves are dead last with 69 (at the time of this writing). And while the Cubs are in the top three in the Majors in ERA, the Braves are in the bottom four. The Braves have been awful so far this year and the Cubs have been great, so anything less than winning 2-of-3 would be a disappointment for the Cubs.
- John Lackey looks to rebound from his last outing when he only lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk. He’s had two really good outings and two really bad ones to start the year. We’re hoping that he settles in sooner rather than later.
- With Miguel Montero on the 15-day DL we’re expecting for Tim Federowicz to see one, maybe two starts behind the plate in this series. He should see some decent playing time to get him ready for the road trip to Pittsburgh on Monday.