Cubs @ Atlanta: Series Thread (Games 17-19)
The Cubs (7-9) dropped 3 of 4 to the Pirates despite outscoring their opponents 29 to 12. The sandwiched a blowout between three close losses. They begin a 6-game road trip with three games the reigning World Series Champions. Atlanta enters the series at 7-10. See below for daily matchups.
Game 17, Tuesday, April 26, 6:20 pm central
CHC: RHP Marcus Stroman (0-2, 8.78 ERA)
ATL: LHP Max Fried (1-2, 3.50 ERA)
Stroman had a solid debut for the Cubs but has performed poorly in two starts since then, allowing 12 earned runs in 8.1 innings. He's collected more than a strikeout per inning but would benefit from more soft contact.
Fried has been in full command through three starts, issuing only one walk in 18 innings pitched compared to 17 strikeouts. He won his last start on the back of seven scoreless innings.
Game 18, Wednesday, April 27, 6:20 pm central
CHC: RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1, 11.05 ERA)
ATL: RHP Charlie Morton (1-2, 6.32 ERA)
Leiter bounced back slightly in his second start, allowing two earned runs in four innings. His time in the rotation is likely limited, but he might be able to win some bullpen time.with a solid showing.
Morton is looking to follow up a great first season with Atlanta but has been stung by the homerun ball in the early going. Cubs fans saw the most of him during the first act of his career, when he was a pitch-to-contact Pirate. He since reinvented himself with Houston and really hit his stride in 2019 pitching for the Rays.
Game 19, Thursday, April 28, 6:20 pm central
CHC: LHP Drew Smyly (1-1, 2.45 ERA)
ATL: RHP Kyle Wright (2-0, 1.06 ERA)
Smyly has acquitted himself admirably in his first three starts and is making a bid to stick around in the rotation even when the Cubs welcome back some injured starters. Last time out he did surrender four earned runs in a loss to the Pirates.
26-year-old righty, Kyle Wright, has spent parts of the last three seasons in the majors with Atlanta. His fastball sits mid-90s, but spotty control and vulnerability to the longball have both held him back. He's had a hot start to 2022, punching out 26 opposing hitters in 17 innings pitched while walking only two and allowing zero homeruns thus far.
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