2:20 pm
April 16

Braves @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Atlanta Braves (5-8)

@ Chicago Cubs (5-7)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Smyly (ATL): 0-0; 5.73 ERA

Davies (CHC) 1-1; 11.05 ERA

 

Current odds:

Atlanta Braves: (-129)

Chicago Cubs: (+119)

 

• To a man, the Chicago Cubs realize improving their offense is imperative.Entering the series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves on Friday, the Cubs are batting .163 with 59 hits in 12 games while striking out 29.4 percent of the time, a rate that leads the National League.

• Following an off day Thursday, Chicago will aim to regroup against the Braves to begin a nine-game homestand.

• Braves left-hander Drew Smyly (0-0, 5.73 ERA) is set to start against Cubs right-hander Zach Davies (1-1, 11.05). Smyly has surrendered three home runs in 11 innings this season while striking out 11 against just one walk. He proved susceptible to the long ball in his lone career start against the Cubs. On Aug. 15, 2019, he got a no-decision after scattering five runs and seven hits, including two home runs, in five innings.

• Atlanta snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday by regrouping for a 7-6 victory against the Miami Marlins. After surrendering a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to squander a 5-4 advantage, the Braves responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half, punctuating the rally with a game-ending single by Dansby Swanson.

• Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna hit a two-run home run earlier in the game, his major-league-leading seventh round-tripper of the season. Pablo Sandoval delivered his third pinch-hit home run of the season, a three-run shot in the sixth.

• Similarly, the Cubs are optimistic about finding their stride, beginning with better results at the plate. Chicago is averaging a big-league-low 2.7 runs per game and has logged five or fewer hits eight times this season. Cubs manager David Ross said he felt the team improved its offensive approach despite losing two of three at Milwaukee before the Thursday off day.

• Davies, who allowed seven runs in 1 2/3 innings during a loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday, will try for a turnaround. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, but he hasn’t faced them since 2017.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Atlanta Braves
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