Chicago Cubs series preview: Are Atlanta Braves remedy for average start?

Game 3: Sunday, April 15 – 1:20 p.m. CT | Tyler Chatwood (0-2, 4.91) v Julio Teheran (0-1, 7.07

Chatwood has been inconsistent in his first two starts, to say the least. He pitched six innings of one-run ball on April 2 against the Reds, though he walked six batters. Despite avoiding bigger damage, he took the loss.

In Monday’s home opener, Chatwood needed just 10 pitches to get through the first inning. He needed 90 to get through the next four innings against the Pirates, however. In the end, the Pirates shelled him for five runs on nine hits.

It was not long ago when Teheran, 27, looked like one of the up-and-coming pitchers of baseball. Teheran posted a 2.89 ERA in 33 starts in 2014 before falling off, to an extent, since then. Like Chatwood, he has been all over the place this season.

In his three starts this season, Teheran has allowed four, five and two runs, respectively. He has pitched just six innings once thus far, exiting after 2 1/3 innings April 3 against the Nationals. Ironically, the Braves won 13-6 despite Teheran surrendering three home runs.