Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Braves Saturday 4/17 game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2021-04-18T09:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/221531482021-04-18T09:00:00-05:002021-04-18T09:00:00-05:002021 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 14
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<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BhFCJB2pWa4CCNZOQLpZo8XNF6A=/321x10:2989x1789/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69145564/usa_today_15917422.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs bats finally break out in 13-4 win</p> <p id="j8xBB4">Saturday’s game was something that’s been coming for some time. Is it a dead cat bounce? We can’t know at this time. But even the worst teams sometimes beat up on the best teams. Baseball will give you those games for some time. Will the Braves right their ship and be a contender? Who knows? But they’ve gotten off to a slow start too and then with injuries to a couple of key players, maybe they don’t find their groove or it is too late before they get there. </p>
<p id="7eg2Vx">It doesn’t matter how good the teams are or will be. On Saturday, the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> beat the snot out of the Braves. Sometimes these wins can ease the pressure on a struggling team. We can only hope. But for the time being, this one was just fun for a change. A reminder of how good this team can look when things are going right. </p>
<p id="mJWcQj">Willson Contreras looks right now like a man desperately trying to lift a team up and throw them on his shoulders. Kris Bryant looks like a man who is healthy for the first time in a few years. He’s already hit more home runs this year in the first three weeks than he hit all of last year in an injury-abbreviated, pandemic-shortened season. Anthony Rizzo had three hits including a triple. Leaders led the offense. And Trevor Williams had his second strong Wrigley Field start in two tries. </p>
<p id="qWhIHo">For one day, just about everything looked great. Kyle Hendricks is in line to start the Sunday game. Maybe he can be on top of his game and they can win another one. But before we can get there, we have to cover this one. </p>
<p id="o08SvA">With that, we’ll turn our attention to Heroes and Goats. As you’ll recall, the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high-leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. With that, let’s get to the results.</p>
<p id="pKiUh5"><strong>Game 14: </strong>Cubs 13, Braves 4 (6-8)</p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2021-04-17&team=Cubs&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2021-04-17&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2021">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="q0V4RH"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Hh5UPw">
<strong>Superhero: </strong>Willson Contreras (.179). 2-4, 2HR (4,5), 2RBI, 2R</li>
<li id="LmdSCh">
<strong>Hero: </strong>Trevor Williams (.171). 5IP (21 batters faced), 4H, 3BB, 1R, 4K (W 2-1)</li>
<li id="CVcRry">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong>David Bote (.096). 2-4, HR (2), 2B, 4RBI, R</li>
</ul>
<p id="pAVYYl"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="iNOZIz">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong>Ian Happ (-.050). 1-5, 2K</li>
<li id="h1t1gg">
<strong>Goat: </strong>Joc Pederson (-.011). 0-2, 2BB, 2R</li>
<li id="iYRNNS">
<strong>Kid: </strong>Shelby Miller*(.000). 1IP (8 batters faced), 3H, 2BB, 3R, 1K</li>
</ul>
<p id="Op4Bn5">(Shelby Miller was selected as a scorer’s decision. Seven different Cubs recorded a WPA of .000 for this one. Miller’s performance was the least helpful of the seven)</p>
<p id="nrITH2"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>This one didn’t take long. Willson Contreras batted with the bases empty and one out in the bottom of the first, the game still tied at zero. But not for long. He launched the first of two homers and gave the Cubs the first of what would be 13 unanswered runs to start the game. (.105)</p>
<p id="15x1c3">*Braves Play of the Game: Ehire Adrianza had a bunt single with a runner on first and no outs in the top of the second, the Braves down 1-0. (.063)</p>
<div id="FUaj5a"><div data-anthem-component="poll:10452349"></div></div>
<p id="ddCeBv"><strong>Heroes and Goats Cumulative Standings: </strong>(Top 3/Bottom 3)</p>
<ul>
<li id="veouhH">Willson Contreras +9.5</li>
<li id="jDpEyS">Craig Kimbrel +9</li>
<li id="x9ilma">Dillon Maples +4</li>
<li id="248Lyu">David Bote -5</li>
<li id="eVsXrh">Zach Davies -6</li>
<li id="1ptSyD">Anthony Rizzo -7</li>
</ul>
<p id="HtvSbt"><strong>Up Next: </strong>On Sunday, the Cubs and Braves conclude their three-game set. Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to make the start. The Cubs will be looking for two wins in a row and a series win. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/18/22389903/2021-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-14Thomas Smith2021-04-17T17:45:00-05:002021-04-17T17:45:00-05:00Cubs 13, Braves 4: The complaint department is closed
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OAjwLQvS_eNvS8NguSaReoMVAWU=/0x60:3056x2097/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69143833/1313002283.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Banks/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs brought out the big bats and demolished the visitors from Atlanta.</p> <p id="7hK4r5">I told you, <em>told you</em>, <strong>TOLD YOU</strong> the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> weren’t as bad as they had shown over the 2021 season’s first 13 games.</p>
<p id="hQIrCB">Maybe 13 was the good-luck number, because in Game 14 the Cubs smashed six home runs and scored 13 runs in <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/braves-vs-cubs/2021/04/17/634462#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=634462">a 13-4 crushing of the Braves</a>.</p>
<p id="GKMcPG">In the Cubs’ previous six games they had scored a total of 11 runs, so they outdid that by a pair. The six homers fell one short of the franchise record of seven, which hasn’t been done since 1977 — and all of that on a chilly, but sunny Wrigley afternoon when the wind was mostly blowing in.</p>
<p id="oo4zLw">The Cubs didn’t wait. With one out in the first inning, <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/dad7688a-caf9d10f-b978feae-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Willson Contreras off Huascar Ynoa [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="Zp6gS1">Back-to-back doubles by Jason Heyward and David Bote made it 2-0 after two, and then the Cubs really got going in the third. <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/e7556df1-243d7582-d66edb29-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Contreras, again [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="aWkRyn"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/e7556df1-243d7582-d66edb29-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="GSS3Gh"></p>
<p id="64SrIc">Anthony Rizzo followed with a single and was forced at second. Joc Pederson walked and then <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/4ee06ad5-5ad1db67-ae8661a0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Javier Baez came to the plate [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="ZKnJfK"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/4ee06ad5-5ad1db67-ae8661a0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="1hBcod"></p>
<p id="DhBtdT">Javy’s three-run shot made it 6-0 and, as they say, the rout was on.</p>
<p id="AWRhbP">After a 1-2-3 fourth, the rout got even bigger in the fifth. Rizzo singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then he trotted home on <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/21cb1832-a5b7d2f7-750c488a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Kris Bryant’s blast [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="9ZDKzW"></p>
<p id="CUEIyj">Now it’s 8-0, but the Cubs aren’t done in that inning. Keeping the team’s HBP parade going, Joc Pederson was hit, the team’s 14th in as many games. One out later, Heyward walked and then it was <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/87e68bd5-48af7d26-3bfc711e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">David Bote’s turn to go deep [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="ELHpY4"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/87e68bd5-48af7d26-3bfc711e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="U84TOO"></p>
<p id="9b9Ah3">Things didn’t end up that way, but at the time the Cubs had wiped out nearly half their season negative run differential (-23 coming into the game) in five innings.</p>
<p id="sLnxhv">Trevor Williams breezed through the first five innings and then, perhaps due to the long fifth inning, got into trouble in the sixth on a single and a pair of walks. Ryan Tepera was summoned into a difficult situation, bases loaded, nobody out, but he induced a double-play ball and a fly out to end the inning on just five pitches. One run scored, charged to Williams, and let it be noted that Williams dropped an infield grounder down the third-base line that the Braves couldn’t play, and thus got the first hit by a Cubs pitcher this year. Cubs hurlers in 2021: 1-for-22 (.045) with 16 strikeouts. (Yes, I still hate this.)</p>
<p id="Gr9JIC">The Cubs weren’t done scoring, though. Rizzo hit a ball into the right-field corner and Ronald Acuña Jr. tripped over his own feet, allowing the Cubs first baseman to make it to third with his first triple since 2019. Again he was able to trot home <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/43af9bf1-79163ecd-61f363dc-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">thanks to KB [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="n1XJKu"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/43af9bf1-79163ecd-61f363dc-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="VTlSqw"></p>
<p id="jd71uC">It’s now 13-1, and the Cubs have wiped out <em>more</em> than half that negative run differential.</p>
<p id="MyLbA7">Here’s where I open the complaint department door just a little. Shelby Miller was summoned to begin the seventh inning. I would guess that David Ross would have liked to see Miller throw two innings, maybe even finish the game. Unfortunately, Miller was awful, just as bad if not worse than in his first outing Wednesday in Milwaukee, where he faced five batters, retired none of them and four of them scored.</p>
<p id="isiFJV">Saturday, Miller did manage to retire hitters, three of them, finishing the seventh inning, but in between he allowed three hits including a triple and walked a pair, laboring through 37 pitches before finishing up the frame.</p>
<p id="DrRgfx">Miller had a good spring training, and often, as we know, that doesn’t mean much. Despite decent velocity it appears Miller just doesn’t have it anymore. The Cubs sent Pedro Strop back to the alternate site despite a couple of good outings this past week. I think it’s time to say farewell to Miller and bring Pedro back.</p>
<p id="i5oBth">Brandon Workman, Dan Winkler and Jason Adam completed the last two innings without further incident.</p>
<p id="VfpTDD">This team is capable of hitting like this, often. Why they didn’t do so over the season’s first 13 games will be an eternal mystery. Are they going to score 13 runs every day? Of course not, but I don’t think they’ll go through a six-game span scoring a total of 11 again, either. In a weak NL Central this is still a potential contending team. The six home runs hit by the Cubs Saturday account for 30 percent of their season total of 20. There will be more, many more — you can quote me on that.</p>
<p id="2oozm9">I wanted to give a shout-out to Sean Kazmar Jr. of the Braves, who was just recalled from Atlanta’s alternate site before the game. Kazmar has spent the last 12 (!) years in the minor leagues after playing in a few games for the Padres in 2008, including playing at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves system for the last seven (!) years. He’s 36 and was hoping for one more big-league shot. This is perseverance:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Sean Kazmar Jr. plays for the Braves today (again, <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffPassan</a> 1st reported he's being called up), it'll be 12 yrs, 206 days since his last MLB game.<br><br>Per <a href="https://twitter.com/EliasSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliasSports</a>, that'd be the longest stretch between MLB games since 1950, beating out Minnie Minoso & Satchel Paige.</p>— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewSimonMLB/status/1383443125532725255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a>
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<p id="Q0PWX7"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/bf3e3a62-93971dd0-934f7c62-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here’s his story [VIDEO] — told by Kelly Crull.</a></p>
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<p id="97mWex"></p>
<p id="dzigcp">Kazmar did get into the game, pinch-hitting in the fifth inning. <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/17/0b721ac4-1b4c8a67-e27326c4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">He hit into a double play [VIDEO].</a></p>
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<p id="lGPL6M">Props to him for sticking it out and making it back, even if it’s just for a few at-bats.</p>
<p id="bLFuwN">Sunday, the Cubs will make their first appearance on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball facing the Braves in the rubber game of this series. (It should be noted that in every series this season the Cubs have gone into the last game with a chance for a series win.) Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to start for the Cubs. Just-recalled Bryse Wilson was announced after the game as Atlanta’s starter:</p>
<div id="vZGIhO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bryse Wilson confirmed for Sunday night start for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> in series finale at Wrigley.</p>— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOBrienATL/status/1383539170958659593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a>
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<p id="Ra8EDG">Game time Sunday is 6:08 p.m. CT. Hopefully, Saturday’s offensive outburst will be the beginning of a long run for these Cubs hitters.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/17/22389711/cubs-braves-recap-willson-contreras-kris-bryant-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2021-04-17T14:50:00-05:002021-04-17T14:50:00-05:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Braves, Saturday 4/17, 1:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/M1XDQ3sHbGwlKg06Rm0dstxnHBs=/555x302:3693x2394/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69143356/usa_today_15908417.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="tJXjDF">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/17/22389106/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-braves-saturday-4-17-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-04-17T13:15:00-05:002021-04-17T13:15:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Braves, Saturday 4/17, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="tJXjDF">Go get ‘em, Trevor.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/17/22389105/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-braves-saturday-4-17-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-04-17T11:30:00-05:002021-04-17T11:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves preview, Saturday 4/17, 1:20 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q6U9tWB4BUQrpwoDbf-vyVLjzjU=/231x131:2160x1417/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69142769/1312870550.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs, once again, will try to score some runs.</p> <p id="fprL4b">I’ve been posting some positive team notes in these previews. Today, I’m going to try something different.</p>
<p id="X779e6">Remember when I said just before Opening Day that I had <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/3/31/22359950/2021-cubs-mlb-season-reflections">a sort of 1973 Cubs vibe</a> around this year’s team?</p>
<p id="GzxOhu">Well, the 2021 Cubs have not scored more than five runs in any game, 13 games now.</p>
<p id="2F2tPB">That’s not anywhere close to the franchise record, which is 23 straight games of five runs or fewer.</p>
<p id="K6441u">Guess when that happened? Yep, 1973, July 28 through August 19. The Cubs went 6-17 in that 23-game stretch. Yikes. That team got outscored 77-58 during that stretch. As you can see, the pitching wasn’t too bad (allowing just 3.35 runs per game), but the offense basically died (2.52 runs per game). Though they had started the year 48-33 with an 8½-game lead, that horrid 23-game span put them basically out of contention.</p>
<p id="1xOuD4">The single-season record for any team doing this is 40 games, set by the 1971 Phillies (they went 15-25 and eventually lost 95 games), tied by the 1979 Mets (they went 7-33 and eventually lost 99 games).</p>
<p id="60GPS6">Also, in case you were wondering, the Cubs are on a streak of nine games in which they have scored <em>four</em> runs or fewer. The franchise record for such things is 20, set in 1979.</p>
<p id="JOJOlX">Lastly, the 2021 Cubs are 4-0 when scoring four or more runs, 1-8 when scoring three or fewer. Those numbers should not surprise you.</p>
<p id="gY0KqS">I still don’t think the 2021 Cubs are that bad. But they had better start hitting <em>right now</em> to prove me wrong.</p>
<p id="hXhA45">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="OmIgrW"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="7HAlGx">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup against the Braves.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CubTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CubTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/tWe7RjrCkS">pic.twitter.com/tWe7RjrCkS</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1383429053248532484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a>
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<p id="zM1STs">Sigh. Same old lineup.</p>
<p id="i3tWB1"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com">Braves</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="h2qS0s">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's how the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> will line up today vs. the Cubs!<br><br>Presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/TruistNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TruistNews</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/7WTnpBcb0F">pic.twitter.com/7WTnpBcb0F</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1383450901700964357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="GgR9hc">Trevor Williams, RHP vs. Huascar Ynoa, LHP</h2>
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<cite>MLB Photos via Getty Images</cite>
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<cite>MLB Photos via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="kphEku">Trevor Williams has made two starts this year. One was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN202104050.shtml">really good</a>, the other <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT202104110.shtml">not so much</a>.</p>
<p id="LAh69W">I’m hoping that the “not so much” was Williams being a bit over-amped facing his old team in his old home park. He threw very well at Wrigley Field.</p>
<p id="73ObQz">The last time he faced the Braves was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT201808220.shtml">August 22, 2018</a> and he had a strong outing: six innings, two hits, one run. I’ll take another one of those, please.</p>
<p id="aG4gqY">Huascar Ynoa has made three appearances this year (two starts) and thrown very well, allowing just six hits and two walks with 15 strikeouts over 12 innings.</p>
<p id="XO5cuh"><a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/huascar-ynoa/20468/stats#pitch-type">Per Fangraphs</a> he relies almost exclusively on a fastball (average 95.7 miles per hour over his MLB career) and slider.</p>
<p id="9rZLq4">He has never faced the Cubs or anyone on the Cubs active roster.</p>
<p id="GyMZVV">Sounds like exactly the kind of guy the Cubs hate to face.</p>
<p id="vGN2YO">Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here’s a list of providers currently carrying Marquee<strong>.</strong></a> </p>
<p id="6w2xna"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2021/04/17">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2021_04_17_atlmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2021/CHN202104170.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="7oSHCm">Please visit our SB Nation Braves site <a href="http://www.talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a>. If you do go there to interact with Braves fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="mRtOMf">The 2021 Game Thread procedure will be a bit different than previous years. It will be similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/17/22385410/chicago-cubs-atlanta-braves-preview-saturdayAl Yellon