Chicago Cubs (27-14) at Atlanta Braves (28-13) | Truist Park, Atlanta | 7:15 PM ET / 6:15 PM CT
The Chicago Cubs (27–14 after losing 3–0 Sunday) travel to Atlanta to face the Braves (28–13, best ERA in baseball!) at Truist Park for the series opener. We got SHUT OUT for the second straight game after losing the series 2-1 to the Rangers. Ian Happ’s 30-game on-base streak ENDED. Colin Rea (4-1, 4.03 ERA) starts against Grant Holmes (2-1, 4.34 ERA).
This is the series opener—can we bounce back from back-to-back shutouts against the best team in the NL East?
Cubs Season: 27-14 After Back-to-Back Shutouts
Record: 27-14 (Thirteen Games Over .500, Lost Series 2-1)
We’re 27–14 and thirteen games over .500 after getting SHUT OUT 3–0 by the Rangers Sunday. Jacob deGrom was DOMINANT (7 IP, 10 Ks!). We were shut out in back-to-back games (6–0 Saturday, 3–0 Sunday) and lost the series 2-1. Ian Happ’s 30-game on-base streak ENDED (went 0-for-3 with 3 Ks).
Sunday’s Shutout Loss (3–0):
- Lost 3–0 (SECOND straight shutout!)
- Jacob deGrom: 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 10 Ks (DOMINATED!)
- Only 3 hits all game (Nico Hoerner 2, Michael Busch 1)
- Ian Happ: 0-for-3, 3 Ks (30-game on-base streak ENDED!)
- Jameson Taillon: 5.1 IP, 1 ER (pitched well, no run support)
Recent Struggles:
- Shut out in back-to-back games (0 runs in last 18 innings!)
- Lost series 2-1 to Rangers (after winning Game 1 6-4)
- Still 27-14 (13 games over .500!)
- 0-for-13 with RISP in the two shutout losses
Key Stats:
- 51 home runs (4th in NL!)
- .261 batting average (4th in MLB)
- 5.4 runs per game (2nd in MLB!)
- But 0 runs in last 18 innings
Colin Rea Tonight:
- 4-1, 4.03 ERA this season
- Trying to bounce back from the offensive shutouts
- Facing the Braves’ best ERA in baseball (3.16!)
We got shut out twice but we’re still 27-14! Bounce back in Atlanta!
Atlanta Braves: 28-13, Best ERA in Baseball!
The Braves are 28–13 with the BEST ERA in baseball at 3.16! They’re on a THREE-game win streak and are the best team in the NL East.
Braves Dominance:
- 28-13 record (.683 winning percentage!)
- BEST ERA in baseball: 3.16
- 12-6 at home (dominant at Truist Park!)
- THREE-game win streak
- 8-2 in last 10 games
Grant Holmes Starting:
- 2-1, 4.34 ERA this season
- 1.31 WHIP
- Facing our cold offense (0 runs in 18 innings!)
Braves Key Players:
- Matt Olson: 14 HRs, 36 RBIs (leading the team!)
- .276 batting average (BEST in MLB!)
- 5.9 runs per game (BEST in MLB!)
- 50 home runs (2nd in MLB!)
What We’re Facing:
- Best ERA in baseball (3.16!)
- Most runs per game (5.9!)
- Playing at Truist Park (12-6 at home!)
- We haven’t scored in 18 innings
The Braves are the BEST team we’ve faced all season. Elite pitching, elite offense, playing at home!
Key Matchups at Truist Park
Colin Rea (4-1, 4.03 ERA) vs Braves Lineup
The Braves score 5.9 runs per game (BEST in MLB!). Rea needs to keep them down at Truist Park!
Cubs Offense (5.4 RPG) vs Grant Holmes (4.34 ERA)
We’ve been shut out in back-to-back games (0 runs in 18 innings!). ATTACK Holmes and get back on track!
End the Scoring Drought
We haven’t scored in 18 innings. The Braves have the best ERA in baseball. BREAK THROUGH tonight!
Marquee Matchup
27-14 vs 28-13. Two of the best teams in baseball. First place in NL Central vs first place in NL East!
What the Cubs Need at Truist Park
Colin Rea Keeps Them Down
The Braves score 5.9 runs per game (BEST in MLB!). Rea needs to give us 6 quality innings and keep us in the game.
OFFENSE WAKES UP
We’ve been shut out in back-to-back games. 0 runs in 18 innings. TIME TO SCORE!
Nico Hoerner and Michael Conforto Lead
Hoerner had 2 hits Sunday. Conforto is hitting .364. We need our top guys to produce!
Bounce Back from Shutouts
Lost the series to the Rangers. Got shut out twice. Fresh start in Atlanta against the best team in the NL East!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We End the Scoring Drought!
Final Score: Cubs 5, Braves 4
Colin Rea battles—6 innings, 4 runs. The Braves score but Rea keeps us in it.
Our offense FINALLY breaks through! Michael Conforto drives in runs. Seiya Suzuki contributes. We score 5 against the Braves’ elite pitching!
The Braves score 4 but we END THE SCORING DROUGHT and win at Truist Park!
One-run win. We’re 28–14, FOURTEEN GAMES OVER .500. We bounce back from the shutouts!
Why the Series Opener Matters
We’re 27–14 after getting SHUT OUT for the second straight game (6–0, 3–0). Ian Happ’s 30-game on-base streak ENDED. We lost the series 2-1 to the Rangers. The Braves are 28–13 with the BEST ERA in baseball (3.16!) and score the most runs (5.9 per game!).
Win tonight and we’re 28–14. END THE SCORING DROUGHT and beat the best team in the NL East at their park!
Can we end the shutout streak? Will our offense wake up? Can we beat the Braves’ elite pitching?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 28–14 and bouncing back from shutouts would show resilience!
Go Cubs Go. End the scoring drought in Atlanta!
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