Braves (Fried) @ Cubs (Steele) - 5/22/24, 6:40 CST, Marquee

[squally1313]

A game they probably deserved to win top to bottom turns into a win by some pretty fluky batted ball luck in extras. Assad was probably a little weary of attacking the strike zone given the wind, but managed to continue his high wire act with guys on base. Taxing night across both bullpens, Cubs had to use 5 guys, though Miller was the only one over 20 pitches. Wes has pitched two of the last three days so assume he is down. Cuas and Hendricks, I guess, haven't pitched since Friday, Hodge has yet to make an appearance. Steele doesn't get a soft landing as he tries to right the ship, hopefully doesn't let it bother him too much if/when some otherwise harmless fly ball ends up in the basket early on. 

For the Braves, assume Minter, Chavez, and Hernandez are down, along with maybe Bummer after 20 pitches last night. Which makes them a little light from the left side but unfortunately Fried is a pretty effective LHP and the Cubs will need to show some improvement there. Dansby/Nico should help there, it'll be a good sign of where the team thinks they are health wise if they both start tonight vs letting Vazquez slide in. 

Tomorrow is likely going to be Brown against a bad AAA pitcher and whatever is left of their pen, so let's try to get into it early and often. Can pay dividends even if we lose the HR/FB battle tonight. Go Cubs.

 

[CubinNY]

With Chavez's rubber arm, you never know. He might pitch until he's 50 with the braves. 

[Bertz]

Much like Acuna and Olson, Max Fried is a star who's been more good than great in the early going this year.  Just try to grind through today and pray he it takes at least another couple days before he gets right.

[Soul]

Looking for a much better start from Steele tonight.

[chibears55]

Cubs have loss all 4 of Steele starts this season,  time to get a win...

[CubinNY]

I’m so damn sick of the umpires missing calls. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

Steele giving up home runs at an alarming rate, is he cooked?

[ToolDRT]

Yay Steele sucks now. 

[JHBulls]

Justin Steele hasn’t been at the races since coming off the IL. Disappointing to see that.

[JHBulls]

Nice to see that the home plate umpire usually don’t discriminate against one team and will suck for both. 

[UMFan83]

10 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Steele giving up home runs at an alarming rate, is he cooked?

6 home runs allowed in his last 12.2 IP yikes. No he’s not cooked but it’s definitely a bit concerning in the short term. 

[UMFan83]

Cubs offense getting mowed down damn. Fried only at 33 pitches through 3 too. Come on guys 

[JHBulls]

Nice bounce back inning from Steele.

But I have it on good authority that it is very difficult to score 3 or more runs when the team doesn’t get a base hit. So yeah, get a base hit. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

Suzuki looks completely lost. Maybe could use a few days off

[CubinNY]

Making it look easy

[ToolDRT]

This offensive aspires to be putrid. They don’t even work deep counts. 

[Derwood]

Perfecto incoming?

[UMFan83]

3 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Suzuki looks completely lost. Maybe could use a few days off

Look if we benched everyone who was looking lost at the plate we’d have to forfeit games. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Fg had an article on Fried recently highlighting how often he no-hits his opponents. 

 

I believe the last time the Cubs scored a run off a lefty was the 10th. We have been absolutely manhandled since and we've faced several.

[WhyCantWeWin]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Look if we benched everyone who was looking lost at the plate we’d have to forfeit games. 

Yeah it’s the roster construction that’s the real issue here. Too many mediocre players making too much money

[JHBulls]

Fried about to pitch a perfect game and probably blow Kerry Wood’s Houston game score out of the water. 

 

[GoCubsGo1978]

13 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Suzuki looks completely lost. Maybe could use a few days off

He just came off the IL. Not sure he needs more days off.  But yes he is not seeing the ball very well right now.

[UMFan83]

Normally even though I can be pessimistic whenever the cubs are being no hit in a game I reason that they’ll find a way to get a hit. Today they just look so overmatched it almost feels like a foregone conclusion. Prove me wrong you horsefeatherss

[GoCubsGo1978]

Cubs just need one good inning.  I would at least settle for a hit or two in the same inning to get things rolling.  

[chibears55]

Ok Happer

Let Go