This is a classic case of possible overconfidence. The Cubs have the NL's best home record (26-8). The Braves have the majors' worst road record (7-21). Atlanta is without their best player, Chipper Jones. No-brainer, right?
Well, that's why they play the games. The Cubs are hot and the Braves are not. Let's keep it that way.
The latest round of NL All-Star balloting was released today (link opens .pdf file). Three Cubs will start the ASG if the current trends keep up -- Geovany Soto, Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome. Soriano is third among all vote-getters in the NL behind Chase Utley and Chipper Jones. I think the Cubs could have as many as three pitchers chosen -- Z, Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. Six All-Star reps -- the Cubs haven't had that many since... ever. Never happened before. Wouldn't that be a nice first?
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The last time we saw Tom Glavine, he was making history at Wrigley Field with his 300th career win in a Mets uniform last August. He's been middling this year; time for some right-handed-hitting Cubs like Aramis Ramirez (vs. Glavine: .480/.548/.920, 12-for-25, 2 doubles, 3 HR) and Alfonso Soriano (.400/.478/.600, 8-for-20, a double, a HR) to tee off on him.
The last time Ted Lilly faced the Braves, he got tossed in the first inning, supposedly for throwing at Edgar Renteria. The call was ridiculous; Renteria is long gone, now with the woebegotten Tigers. Serves him right for the fight he later picked with Mike Fontenot. The Brave he's faced most from his AL days is Mark Teixeira, who he's handled well, sort of: 4-for-20, but 2 HR. Lilly has a 6.17 career ERA vs. the Braves, but most of that was compiled in this 2003 interleague game when he was with the A's and gave up seven earned runs in four innings; the only Brave who played in that game who will play tonight is... Mark DeRosa, who'll be on our side.
Today's game is on PTV in Atlanta (whatever that is -- I have no idea!), WGN, EI, and the MLB.com Mediacenter.
MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)
MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Today's overflow comment threads will post at 8:15 pm and 9:15 pm CT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.