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

Three games against a young Atlanta Braves team could be the perfect solution to jump-start an inconsistent Chicago Cubs’ offense.

Between playing nine-straight road games and having two games postponed (due to rain and snow, respectively), the Cubs’ 2018 season is off to an odd start.

At 6-6, it is safe to say the Cubs’ record is not as strong as expected. Not only does the team look championship-caliber on paper, but they have not had the toughest schedule thus far.

The Cubs have played the Miami Marlins (four times), Cincinnati Reds (once), Milwaukee Brewers (four times) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (three times).

Realistically, the Brewers are the only team mentioned that is expected to compete for a playoff spot in 2018. In fact, both the Marlins and Reds have gone 1-7 since last playing the Cubs. Basically, the three of the Cubs’ six losses came against subpar opponents.

Things seemed to be trending upwards for the Cubs after taking three-of-four from the Brewers. Of course, they then lost two-of-three to the Pirates (9-3) this week, halting that momentum.

Many (Cubbies Crib included) predicted the Pirates to struggle in 2018. This could still be the case, but at this point, the Cubs lost two games to what looks like a good Pittsburgh team. Only time will tell if this is the case, though.

All is not lost, however. The Cubs have 150 games left to play, starting with three at home this weekend against the Atlanta Braves. Let’s look ahead and see what to expect this weekend.

Heading into the series: Atlanta Braves

Record: 7-5, 2nd in National League East

Record (Last 10): 6-4

Team ERA: 2.98 (5th in MLB)

Team OBP: .338 (3rd in MLB)

Team HR: 14

Team Leader (WAR): Freddie Freeman–4.0

At 7-5, the Braves are off to a solid start considering where preseason predictions pegged them to finish. Atlanta’s offense is spearheaded by three players (35 at-bats+) hitting at least .300. Dansby Swanson (.348) is leading the way for the Braves.

Drafted No.1 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015, Swanson, 24, struggled mightily in 2017. The shortstop hit just .232 in 144 games (488 at-bats). His .636 OPS was 100 points lower than any other Braves player with at least 200 at-bats.

Based on what their first 12 games, here is a lineup the Braves could roll out Friday at Wrigley Field:

Projected starting lineup

1. Ender Inciarte, CF
2. Ozzie Albies, 2B
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Nick Markakis, RF
5. Kurt Suzuki, C
6. Preston Tucker, LF
7. Dansby Swanson, SS
8. Ryan Flaherty, 3B
9. Anibal Sánchez, P

Despite having few household names, the Braves’ offense has been tremendous to start the season. In their seven wins, Atlanta has scored 8, 15, 13, 7, 8, 4 and 5 runs, respectively. Their collective 14 home runs are tied for 10th in the MLB.

Freeman, a two-time All-Star, is leading the way offensively with an impressive .325/.518/.625 slash line. And while Freeman and Swanson’s strong starts should not be underestimated, Flaherty’s production has been a pleasant surprise.

A career .219 hitter, Flaherty is hitting .333 with a .886 OPS in 36 at-bats this season. Even more impressive is the fact that he signed with the Braves on the last day of spring training.

Pitching experience abundant on both sides

Game 1: Friday, April 13 – 1:20 p.m. CT | Yu Darvish (0-0, 5.23) v Anibal Sánchez (0-0, 2.25)

Yu Darvish will take the ball to start the first weekend series at Wrigley Field in 2018. Darvish’s 5.23 ERA looks bad at first glance. However, it does not tell the whole story of his first two starts as a Cub.

Darvish labored through 4 1/3  innings and 102 pitches March 31 against the Marlins. He surrendered five runs on five hits (including a home run). Although the Cubs picked up a 10-6 win, Darvish was not the most effective.

April 7 was a much better go around for Darvish; he pitched six innings, allowing one run on two hits, throwing 94 pitches. Darvish’s struck out nine batters compared to just one walk.

The Minnesota Twins released Sánchez, 34, halfway through spring training before the Braves picked him up. Sánchez pitched three scoreless innings in relief on April 2, allowing no runs on one hit and three walks.

Sánchez made his first start with the Braves Saturday. In five innings against the Colorado Rockies, he allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings. Based on his two outings this season, the Cubs could benefit from a patient approach against the veteran right-hander.

Game 2: Saturday, April 14 – 1:20 p.m. CT | José Quintana (1-1, 4.50) v Sean Newcomb (1-1, 4.35)

Like Darvish, Quintana fared much better in his second start after a tough first going. He pitched four no-hit innings against the Marlins before surrendering five runs in the fifth April 1. He has pitched six innings in both starts, however.

Quintana shut down the Brewers in Miller Park for a second time as a Cub Sunday. In six innings, he allowed no runs on three hits and two walks, throwing just 87 pitches.

Newcomb’s two starts have gone quite similar to Quintana’s. He allowed six runs (five earned) in just 4 1/3 innings against the Washington Nationals on April 2. This was followed by six scoreless innings Sunday against the Rockies in which Newcomb threw just 89 pitches.

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.

Series Prediction: Cubs sweep Braves, offense gets on track

Look, I get it. The Cubs’ offense has been extremely inconsistent to start the season. The fact that they scored just one run Thursday after posting 13 Wednesday is a prime example of this.

At the same time, Schwarber and Happ look like they are back on track at the plate. Bryant is tearing it up day-in and day-out; outside of Thursday, Báez has been tearing it up recently after his own slow start.

Next: Maddon happy team there to support Báez

The Cubs are going to start hitting more consistently, and it will start this weekend against the Braves. It begins with hitting with runners in scoring position, however, so keep watch to see how the team fares in that department.