Braves-Cubs Preview By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer
Quality depth is one reason the Chicago Cubs have some lofty expectations for 2016. With two prominent players on the disabled list and another ailing, Saturday is another opportunity for the Cubs to tap into their resources while trying for an eighth straight victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves. Reserve outfielder Matt Szczur hit his first grand slam to highlight a five-run eighth inning in Chicago's fourth straight win, 6-1 on Friday. In addition to those heroics, backup Javier Baez doubled and scored while starting at third base in place of Kris Bryant (ankle). With another pinch-hit, Tommy La Stella improved to 6 for 9 with a homer and four doubles in his last five games. "We just come ready to play," manager Joe Maddon said. "A couple of guys were out and the guys that stood in there for them did outstanding work. "It's all really good stuff." After spending the past two seasons between the majors and minors, Szczur has become an asset with slugger Kyle Schwarber on the DL. Much like Baez, who could see more time while the Cubs (17-5) remain cautious with Bryant. "I appreciate (Maddon) giving me chances to succeed," said Szczur, who is 3 for his last 9. "I take pride in that, and I think all of our bench players take pride in that. That's why we're doing so well." Veteran catcher David Ross is 5 for 16 with two homers and five RBIs in his last five games, and he's no longer relegated to the role of personal catcher for Jon Lester with Miguel Montero also on the DL. After Lester allowed a run and struck out 10 over seven innings Friday, John Lackey (3-1, 4.97 ERA) hopes to bounce back from giving up six runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of last Saturday's 13-5 loss at Cincinnati. Yielding that many runs for the second time in his four starts, Lackey wants to be more aggressive - especially with two strikes. "Sometimes you can almost throw too many strikes," the right-hander told MLB's official website. "Maybe need to make some people a little more uncomfortable." Freddie Freeman homered for one of Atlanta's seven hits Friday. Batting .339 in 14 games since going 2 for 25 in the first eight, Freeman has hit three of the Braves' five home runs this year. Atlanta (5-18) has scored 75 runs while the Cubs' run differential is a major league-best plus-79. It's been outscored 44-16 in the last seven with Chicago. The Braves totaled 10 runs while losing all five starts made by Julio Teheran (0-3, 4.60). The right-hander, though, has kept his team in the last two while giving up three runs over 12 1/3 innings. One of those runs was issued over seven of Monday's 1-0 loss to Boston. "That was the first time that I've felt like that this year," Teheran said. "I felt like I had everything working." He's 2-0 with a 3.82 ERA in five starts against the Cubs. Anthony Rizzo is 2 for 13 with a homer when facing Teheran, but he's batting .310 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in the last eight games. |