Atlanta at Chicago, 3:20 ET
Maddux (R) 2-5 TSR day TY 3.53 ERA
Wood (R) 4-1 vs Atl L3Y 1.93 ERA
Every year I get to look real close at the cubs. They play the most afternoon games and thus are usually the only game on the board, so without the pressure of a big schedule I get a chance to break them down, and try to get a feel for how well they can play on any given day. That experience of looking at the cubs under a microscope comes in handy with a game like this today.
The braves come into this game winners of the last three out of four, but only 4-6 in the last ten overall. The big problem comes on the offensive side of things as the braves have had problems scoring runs. Over the last ten they are scoring an average of 3.3 runs per game, and in the six losses they are averaging just 2.1. The hitting woes are not the only problem, the bullpen has alos failed to hold down some leads, and in the last three games they have posted an era of 6.35.
The cubs come into this one, winners of the last 6 out of ten, to include two of three from Atlanta in their own ballpark. The series shifts to wrigley and all eyes are on starter Kerry Wood. I am usually opposed to playing a pitcher his first game back, however this is a bit different. Although he is limited in pitch count to 80, he is not limited in pitches thrown.
The Cubs are so confident Wood's shoulder is strong, manager Don Baylor said Wood will be permitted to use his entire repertoire, including curveballs and cut fastballs. The only restriction on Wood will be an 80-pitch limit, which is customary after a long layoff. Another worry is that the pitcher may not be 100%, however that question was also answered. This is the time of year when you don't want a guy going out there who's going to get his brains beat in," Hundley said. "I'm sure he wouldn't be going out there if he wasn't 100 percent. He's been through enough.
His pitching perfromance is not the greatest factor however, it may be the emotional factor he brings to the team.
Wood has posted double digits in strikeouts in seven of his 23 starts this season. He has held hitters to a .203 average, including a .184 mark in Wrigley Field.
"I know just having him out [on the mound] will be a great sight to see," Baylor said. "It gives us another lift.
We'll have somebody that can turn a game around."
Wood also is 4-1 against the braves in the last five, while maddux is just 1-4. Wood is a great day pitcher at home while maddux is a .500 pitcher on the road who does not pitch well in the day.
Sosa got to maddux in a big way with a 471 moon shot last time they met, and it could happen again today as the wind is blowing out of wrigley. (The cubs are also 6-3 when the wind is blowing out)
Grabbing the cubs at home as dogs is always a nice proposition. The public is jumping on the braves at last check has the line has moved up a dime, since I grabbed this morning, and so I will grab it again here.
CUBS +125
JT
Sneaks
Maddux (R) 2-5 TSR day TY 3.53 ERA
Wood (R) 4-1 vs Atl L3Y 1.93 ERA
Every year I get to look real close at the cubs. They play the most afternoon games and thus are usually the only game on the board, so without the pressure of a big schedule I get a chance to break them down, and try to get a feel for how well they can play on any given day. That experience of looking at the cubs under a microscope comes in handy with a game like this today.
The braves come into this game winners of the last three out of four, but only 4-6 in the last ten overall. The big problem comes on the offensive side of things as the braves have had problems scoring runs. Over the last ten they are scoring an average of 3.3 runs per game, and in the six losses they are averaging just 2.1. The hitting woes are not the only problem, the bullpen has alos failed to hold down some leads, and in the last three games they have posted an era of 6.35.
The cubs come into this one, winners of the last 6 out of ten, to include two of three from Atlanta in their own ballpark. The series shifts to wrigley and all eyes are on starter Kerry Wood. I am usually opposed to playing a pitcher his first game back, however this is a bit different. Although he is limited in pitch count to 80, he is not limited in pitches thrown.
The Cubs are so confident Wood's shoulder is strong, manager Don Baylor said Wood will be permitted to use his entire repertoire, including curveballs and cut fastballs. The only restriction on Wood will be an 80-pitch limit, which is customary after a long layoff. Another worry is that the pitcher may not be 100%, however that question was also answered. This is the time of year when you don't want a guy going out there who's going to get his brains beat in," Hundley said. "I'm sure he wouldn't be going out there if he wasn't 100 percent. He's been through enough.
His pitching perfromance is not the greatest factor however, it may be the emotional factor he brings to the team.
Wood has posted double digits in strikeouts in seven of his 23 starts this season. He has held hitters to a .203 average, including a .184 mark in Wrigley Field.
"I know just having him out [on the mound] will be a great sight to see," Baylor said. "It gives us another lift.
We'll have somebody that can turn a game around."
Wood also is 4-1 against the braves in the last five, while maddux is just 1-4. Wood is a great day pitcher at home while maddux is a .500 pitcher on the road who does not pitch well in the day.
Sosa got to maddux in a big way with a 471 moon shot last time they met, and it could happen again today as the wind is blowing out of wrigley. (The cubs are also 6-3 when the wind is blowing out)
Grabbing the cubs at home as dogs is always a nice proposition. The public is jumping on the braves at last check has the line has moved up a dime, since I grabbed this morning, and so I will grab it again here.
CUBS +125
JT
