On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Braves series preview

I wrote last week about how the Cubs will have seen, by Thursday, just four teams over the first 25 games of this season.

The Braves are one of those four. In fact, after Thursday the Cubs won’t see the Braves again until 2022, barring a possible postseason matchup this October.

Through the first 25 games of 2021, 16 of the Cubs’ 25 games will have been against the Braves and Brewers. That’s not optimal in any way. So far in the 12 games against those teams, the Cubs are 4-8. They’re 6-3 against the other two teams they’ve played, the Pirates and Mets.

Things seem a bit upside-down in MLB so far this season. Perhaps the wacky schedule is part of the reason.

Fun fact

You think the Cubs offense is having trouble? The Braves went 1-for-42 Sunday in getting one-hit and no-hit in a pair of seven-inning games by Zac Gallen and Madison Bumgarner of the Diamondbacks. After defeating the Cubs 13-4 last Sunday, the Braves have scored just 10 runs in five games.

Pitching matchups

Monday: Zach Davies, RHP (1-2, 8.80 ERA, 2.087 WHIP, 5.64 FIP) vs. Charlie Morton, RHP (1-1, 3.91 ERA, 1.174 WHIP, 3.05 FIP)

Tuesday: Trevor Williams, RHP (2-1, 4.66 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 3.36 FIP) vs. Ian Anderson, RHP (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 4.28 FIP)

Wednesday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (1-2, 5.68 ERA, 1.526 WHIP, 7.57 FIP) vs. Huascar Ynoa, RHP (1-1, 3.68 ERA, 0.864 WHIP, 4.32 FIP)

Thursday: Adbert Alzolay, RHP (0-2, 5.40 ERA, 0.933 WHIP, 3.56 FIP) vs. TBD

Times & TV channels

Monday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, ESPN (outside Cubs and Braves market territories)

Tuesday: 6:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Wednesday: 6:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, FS1 (no blackouts)

Thursday: 6:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (no blackouts)

Prediction

This appears to be a mismatch of a series on paper, just looking at the pitcher numbers. But the Braves are struggling offensively nearly as much as the Cubs are. I’m going to call for a series split.

Up next

The Cubs travel to Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds beginning Friday evening.