John Lackey (3-1, 4.97 ERA) and Julio Teheran (0-3, 4.60 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (17-5) and the Atlanta Braves (5-18) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 6-1, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 30 and can be seen on WLS and FSSO.
Lackey pitched 5.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs, striking out five and walking one in a 13-5 defeat to the Reds. Anthony Rizzo (.218, 16 Rs, 8 HRs, 24 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Teheran went 7.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking three in a 1-0 defeat to the Red Sox in his most recent start. Freddie Freeman (.259, 10 Rs, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Braves, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Chicago and Atlanta are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Cubs have no trouble scoring as they rank second in the NL in offense with 0.0 runs per game. Chicago leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 5.5 per game. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Chicago. The Cubs are the top team when it comes to pitching, allowing a league-low 0.0 runs per game. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 0.981 so far this season.
Offensively, the Braves have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Braves have a dynamic offense, leading the league with zero extra base hits. The Braves allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Cubs have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Braves have a 2-6 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 1-11. The Cubs have a 2-5 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit five this season. Chicago ranks eighth with 28 home runs.
Ranking 25th, Atlanta is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.74 per game. Chicago ranks in the top half at 14th with 8.50.
Atlanta tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .000 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .799.
When the Braves allow at least one home run, they are 1-13. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 6-3 record.
