Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions May 14th 2024

Cubs vs. Braves: Pitching Duel Heats Up the Series

It’s game time, folks! Get ready as the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves gear up for an epic pitching face-off this Tuesday in Atlanta. After a nail-biter of an opener, it’s all eyes on Chicago’s Jameson Taillon and Atlanta’s Chris Sale to see if they can keep the magic alive.

Monday kicked off the series with a tight 2-0 win for the Braves, where the pitchers from both sides were throwing nothing but heat. Now, with Taillon sporting a cool 3-0 record and an ERA of 1.13, and Sale at 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA, expectations are sky-high for these two. Will they live up to the hype set by their teammates? Only time will tell.

What’s the Buzz?

The Braves are on a roll, winning five of their last six, and they’ve got a solid record at Truist Park, especially against the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Cubs are hanging in there, keeping it steady with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. They’re halfway through a six-game road stint and looking to make a mark.

Pitchers in the Spotlight

Taillon was a force against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 4, tossing six scoreless innings. But, a recent twinge in his back during practice has the Cubs playing it safe. Chicago’s skipper, Craig Counsell, is not taking any chances, ensuring Taillon is in top form before he steps up to the mound.

Sale’s been the model of consistency, clocking at least five innings per start this season. His last outing? A powerhouse performance against his old crew, the Boston Red Sox, where he sent 10 batters back to the dugout, strikeout-style. Facing his former team stirred some emotions, but it just added fuel to his competitive fire.

Team Updates on the Fly

Heads up, Braves fans! Austin Riley, your stellar third baseman, is on the bench with a side strain, making him questionable for the next game. In his place, Zack Short showed he could clutch up with a game-changing double in the sixth last Monday.

Over in the Cubs’ camp, they’re shaking things up in the bullpen. Adbert Alzolay is on a 15-day break thanks to a forearm strain, and stepping in from Triple-A Iowa is Jose Cuas, ready to bring his A-game.

Looking Back and Ahead

Taillon’s track record against the Braves is solid, and Sale has his own bragging rights from past dust-ups with the Cubs, though it’s been a minute since their last showdown in 2016.

As both teams line up for tonight’s game, it’s not just about fastballs and curveballs; it’s a strategic game that could turn the tide of the series. Let’s see if Taillon and Sale can keep the scoreboard on the low and wow us with another pitcher-perfect game. Stay tuned!