Game Twenty-Three: Cubs (17-5) vs. Braves (5-18)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
John Lackey (3-1, 4.97/1.22/3.22) vs. Julio Teheran (0-3, 4.60/1.36/4.74)
Weather permitting … The Cubs give the ball to John Lackey this afternoon and will look to complete what is now a two-game sweep over the Braves.
The Cubs have won the three games played on homestand and the minimalist zany suit trip to Pittsburgh will be a lot more fun with the fifth straight victory under their belt.
The Cubs will face Julio Teheran, one of the young arms the front office reportedly has shown interest in over the last 18 months. Teheran is incredibly talented but cannot put it together from inning to inning, much less start to start. Teheran has the stuff to shut the Cubs down today if he wants to. Right handers have hit .239/.270/.324/.594 against him this season and left-handers have batted .267/.370/.600/.970. Look for Joe Maddon to get Tommy La Stella a start today and Tim Federowicz is expected to be behind the plate. Kris Bryant should be available off the bench if he’s not ready to start the game.
Today all starts with John Lackey …
There is no way around it John Lackey is coming off a bad outing. Lackey was thumped by the Reds and gave up six runs for the second time in four starts this season. Lackey said he threw too many strikes and would change his game plan the next time out. The Reds scored six times on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings with Eugenio Suarez delivering the big hit, a three-run shot over the center field wall.
Lackey has shown how good he can be against the Cardinals and his first start at Wrigley against the Reds should be what is expected from the veteran right hander.
In four starts this season, Lackey has allowed 14 runs on 25 hits (three home runs) with six walks and 27 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Lackey makes his second start at Wrigley this afternoon.
Lackey settled in after a rough start against the Reds back on April 13. Lackey gave up two runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. And today marks the fourth time Lackey has started a game against the Braves.
John Lackey is 1-1 in three starts versus the Braves with a 2.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. The Braves beat Lackey last season the only time they faced him. Lackey lasted only four innings and allowed three runs on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Braves Career Numbers against John Lackey
- Nick Markakis: 23-for-68 with six doubles, one triple and eight walks
- A.J. Pierzynski: 11-for-52 with two doubles and three walks
- Kelly Johnson: 5-for-23 with one double
- Erick Aybar: 3-for-12
- Jeff Francoeur: 1-for-6 with one double
- Freddie Freeman: 1-for-3 with one double
- Daniel Castro: 0-for-2
- Adonis Garcia: 1-for-2 with one home run
- Drew Stubbs: 0-for-2
Julio Teheran has continued to struggle with consistency this season. Teheran has a ton of talent but has yet to put it together over a full year. Teheran was very good in his last start in his home park. Teheran held the Red Sox to one run on six hits with three walks. Teheran struck out eight in seven innings.
Today is Teheran’s second road start of the season. Over his career, Teheran has struggled outside of his home park.
Julio Teheran is a perfect 2-0 in five career starts against the Cubs with a 3.82 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Last season, he received a no-decision the only time he faced the Cubs. Teheran was charged with two runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings on July 17 at Turner Field in a game the Cubs lost 4-2.
For his career, Teheran is 2-0 in two starts at Wrigley with a 3.46 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Julio Teheran
- Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-13 with one double one home run and one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 2-for-6 with three walks
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Addison Russell: 1-for-2
- Jorge Soler: 1-for-2
- Travis Wood: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …