After the Braves cruised to a win against Chicago and Yu Darvish in yesterday’s game they look to take the series against the Cubs today.
Atlanta was able to shut out the Cubs thanks to a sparkling performance from veteran Anibal Sanchez and yet another three run shot off the bat of Preston Tucker.
Today the Braves will send to the mound young lefty Sean Newcomb who has had a great, but still unlucky, start to 2018. Newcomb has struck out 15 batters in just 10.1 innings over two games against the Phillies and Rockies. More impressively the big southpaw has cut down on his walks heavily so far leading to a lower WHIP than normal of 1.35. Newcomb as mentioned before has even been unlucky so far this season and should improve even more once his BABIP of .375 normalizes.
His opponent today will be Jose Quintana who was acquired by the Cubs in trade with the White Sox last season. Quintana was roughed up to the tune of six earned runs in his first start of 2018 but recovered nicely in his last start by allowing just three hits and two walks over six innings in Milwaukee. Quintana has been facing some issues of his own walking batters this season and has been lucky to not get burned for it so far.
Today the weather forecast is expected to be bleak as rain and snow mixed with high winds are headed for Chicago all weekend long. Lets hope the Braves can get this game in and get yet another win as they’ve been on fire so far this season.