MLB
Cubs Start 11 Game Road Trip Across Four Different States
After going 8-1 on the homestand, the Cubs will embark on an 11 game road trip. In which it will take place across four different states. Road trips are always important to play well during, especially this time of year when the race is close and competitive. Overall the trip won’t be too much of a challenge, and the Cubs should come away over .500 at the end of the trip. Playing a makeup game against Atlanta today at 6:30. Then it’s on to Philly for a quick three-game set. Then it’s onto Milwaukee for a four-game series against the Brewers. After the Cubs will end their trip in Washington facing the National for a four-game series.
Atlanta
The game today is makeup game from May 17th in which Mike Montgomery will make his first start since coming off the DL. When Monty went down, I thought the injury was going to affect the Cubs rotation seriously. However, the rotation handled themselves very well since he’s been gone. And for the Braves red-hot Mike Foltynewicz, who’s had an impressive year going 2.67 ERA and a WHIP of 1.13. Another formidable pitcher for the Cubs to face off against this month. The Cubs have been able to win games and work very well against other elite pitchers. This game will be a good start to see just what kind of 11 game road trip it will be.
Philadelphia
The Phillies have slumped here hard these past few weeks. Going 3-7 in their last ten games giving up a whopping 56 runs compared to 44 scored. So, it’s not like they can’t score runs their pitching is just going through a major rough patch. And hopefully, the Cubs will be able to capitalize on that and keep rolling. Quintana gets the start in game one; Kyle Hendricks gets the nod for game two. And finally, Jon Leser and Aaron Nola will matchup for the final game of the series.
Milwaukee
What may be the most important series on the 11 game road trip is the Milwaukee series. This could be a series where the Cubs destroy the Brewers hopes of winning the Central. The Brewers have gone 6-4 in their last ten games, but have given up a ton of runs. And their bullpen hasn’t been very good lately either. So, another series in which the Cubs need to take advantage of bad pitching. The matchups for this series hasn’t been announced yet. However, the Cubs have announced that Cole Hamels will start the first game. The Cubs are 10-3 against the Brewers this year sweeping them twice. So, I feel confident going into that series.
Washington
The Nationals this year have been a surprisingly bad, but it’s understandable given all the injuries. This series I’m looking forward too, for it’s the first time Daniel Murphy returns to Washington since getting traded to the Cubs. In which the Cubs are 7-0 when Murphy plays. Like the Brewers series, the pitching matchups haven’t been announced as of yet. However, like always the Cubs and the Nationals give us a lot to look forward too.
