The cream of the National League is set to square off when the Atlanta Braves welcome the Chicago Cubs for the start of a three-game series on Tuesday. Both clubs enter this highly anticipated matchup after very different weekends.
Atlanta continued to lead the majors with an impressive 28-13 record, taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road. After a three-city trip that saw them go 6-3, the Braves return home for the first time since April 30. Manager Walt Weiss praised his team’s resilience, noting they have only lost one series so far and have bounced back quickly from tough losses. The Braves top baseball in runs (228), batting average (.270), and OPS (.784), while their pitching staff leads in opponent batting average (.210) and shares the best ERA in the majors (3.14) with the New York Yankees.
Right-hander Grant Holmes (2-1, 4.34 ERA) gets the nod for his eighth start this season. Holmes, 30, had his last appearance skipped and will be pitching on extra rest after allowing six runs (five earned) in five innings against the Colorado Rockies on May 1. He will face the Cubs for the first time in his career.
Chicago enters the series after a rare offensive slump. The Cubs had put together two separate 10-game winning streaks this year, but were held scoreless in two of three losses to the Texas Rangers over the weekend. The club used its second off day since April 16 to reset before this important trip to Atlanta. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of the break, noting a packed schedule through June.
Outfielder Ian Happ saw his career-best 30-game on-base streak end Sunday and has managed just one hit in his last 15 at-bats. He remains confident the offense will rebound, calling the recent stretch of 23 games in 24 days a testament to the team’s depth. Right-hander Colin Rea (4-1, 4.03 ERA) will start the opener for Chicago. Rea has been sharp in May, posting a 2.53 ERA across two starts. He allowed two runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. In six career starts against Atlanta, Rea is 2-0 with a 3.97 ERA.
