Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves – Series Preview (June 17-19): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4

The Cubs (23-40) are absolutely horrible right now, having lost 10 consecutive games with several blowouts. Just how bad has it been? Chicago has been outscored 90-30 during the skid, which is a -60 run differential for those of you who pay attention to such things.

They are struggling in every facet of the game and can’t seem to find their footing. The schedule does not offer the Cubs a respite as their next opponent is the unstoppable Atlanta Braves (37-27). The defending World Series champions are currently on a 14-game winning streak that has catapulted them right back into the NL East race.

Atlanta hitters have been bludgeoning opponents, averaging nearly six runs per game during the streak. The Braves have 97 home runs, just three short of the MLB-leading Yankees. Austin Riley leads the team with 18 bombs and William Contreras, Willson’s little brother, has hit nine in just 26 games played. Oh yeah, they also still have Ronald Acuña Jr. in the lineup as well.

Atlanta’s starting rotation has been very good, especially Kyle Wright and Max Fried. Kenley Jansen continues to be an anchor in the closer’s role after coming over from the Dodgers.

This is truly a matchup between an unstoppable force and a very movable object. It would be hard to have faith in the Cubs beating anyone right now and this opponent is certainly not just anyone. Things could get pretty ugly, although it would be the most baseball-being-baseball thing ever if the Cubs somehow broke up the Braves’ heater. Here’s hoping it happens, everyone could use a good laugh.

Game Time and Broadcast Info

  • Friday, June 17 at 1:20pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee Sports Network.
  • Saturday, June 18 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee Sports Network
  • Sunday, June 19 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee Sports Network

Starting Pitchers

Date Pitcher Age T ERA W/L FIP K/BB
6/17 Keegan Thompson 27 R 3.67 6-2 4.61 2.17
Charlie Morton 38 R 5.67 4-3 4.58 2.54
6/18 Justin Steele 26 L 4.33 1-5 3.22 1.92
Kyle Wright 26 R 2.57 7-3 2.86 3.20
6/19 Kyle Hendricks 32 R 4.95 2-5 5.07 2.26
Ian Anderson 24 L 4.81 5-3 4.52 1.77

What to Watch For

  • The Cubs’ Contreras had six hits, including two home runs, against the Padres.
  • Hendricks looked much sharper after taking 14 days off between starts. Will he be able to match that back on normal rest?
  • Ian Happ also had six hits against San Diego and is having a very nice season.
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