Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves facing a lot of similar narratives early in 2019

Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves both disappointed over the weekend

Q: What are your early thoughts about this Braves team?

A: All of the issues we thought we would have coming into the season have shown themselves in the first three games. We spent zero dollars on pitching in the offseason and then injuries in Spring Training really hurt us. We’ve decided to let the young guys pitch, and while they all have great stuff, it will take some time for them to develop at the Major League level. Now is a good time to play the Braves because this team will look much different on the pitching side in just a couple of weeks when we’re hopefully healthy. 

After dropping two of three to the reloaded Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Weekend, Atlanta returns home, hoping to pick up some momentum in the season’s first full week. As was pointed out above, the Braves’ pitching put up some truly horrific numbers to the Philadelphia offense – something we, as Cubs fans, can empathize with.

Atlanta enters Monday’s series opener with the second-highest earned run average in baseball (8.63). Getting the pitching right could very well make or break the Braves’ hopes at taking home the division crown again in 2019.