Game Ninety-Four – Cubs (40-53) vs. Braves (51-43)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Travis Wood (7-7, 4.64/1.48/4.20) vs. Julio Teheran (8-6, 2.57/1.03/3.35)
The Cubs will shoot to take the rubber-game of the series against the Braves this afternoon behind Travis Wood. A win today would give the Cubs three victories in four games going into the All-Star break.
Even with Saturday’s embarrassing pitching performance, the Cubs offense has looked much better over the last three games. Arismendy Alcantara is expected back in the starting lineup today and Luis Valbuena is expected back at third. Chris Coghlan and Justin Ruggiano might be the only two players on the Cubs roster not looking forward to the All-Star break with the way they’ve been hitting of late.
’69 Throwback Jersey
The Cubs will honor the ’69 team this afternoon with the fifth of nine Throwback Sundays. The ’69 team featured four Hall of Famers in Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ferguson Jenkins and Ron Santo … and was managed by the fiery Leo Durocher. The team fell apart in August and while the group of players did not play in the post-season together, the ’69 team remains one of the most popular in Cubs’ history.
The SiriusXM Radio All-Star Futures Game takes place this afternoon at Target Field in Minneapolis. Kris Bryant (U.S. Team) and Javier Baez (World Team) will be in opposing dugouts for the first time as the best young players in the game square off for a nine-inning exhibition. Bryant is hitting fourth and playing third base for the U.S. Team and Baez will be used off the bench. The Indians’ Francisco Lindor is starting at shortstop of the World Team. The MLB Network will televise the game with the play-by-play available on MLB Network Radio. Mike Ferrin, Jim Duquette, Jim Bowden and Grant Paulsen will call the action and give in depth analysis of the prospects participating in the game. First pitch, weather permitting, is scheduled for 4:00pm CDT from the home of the Minnesota Twins.
The final game before the break all starts with Travis Wood …
Travis Wood is looking to finish the first half of his season on a positive note and try to bounce back after the break to the way he pitched for a majority of last year. Wood is coming off another rough outing, and he gave up four runs, three earned, on eight hits to the Reds. Wood issued two walks and struck out five in 5 1/3 innings. Wood has not pitched to his expectations so far this year, but has performed better at Wrigley than on the road. Wood is 3-2 in eight home starts with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Wood is 0-1 in his last two starts with a 6.00 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP. Wood has given up 15 hits with six walks and just eight strikeouts in his last nine innings. Wood missed the Braves in May and makes his second career start against Atlanta this afternoon.
Travis Wood received a no decision in his only start against the Braves (Sept. 21, 2013) after allowing one run on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings.
Braves Career Numbers against Travis Wood
Julio Teheran has been very good for the Braves, for the most part, this season. Teheran will put together a dud every once in a while and he is coming off one of those outings. Teheran gave up five runs on 11 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Both the hits allowed (11) and innings pitched (3 1/3 innings) were Teheran’s worst totals of the season.
Julio Teheran is 5-5 in 10 road starts this year with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP and he faces the Cubs for the fourth time in his career this afternoon. Teheran shut down the Cubs for eight innings on May 9 but received a no decision after he allowed one run on one hit (a Mike Olt homer) with two walks and nine strikeouts.
Cubs Career Numbers against Julio Teheran
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …