Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves – Series Preview (May 12-14): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (27-14) finally hit another rough patch this weekend, suffering consecutive shutouts to drop the series in Texas against the Rangers. The back-to-back blankings snapped their second 10-game winning streak of the season before a showdown with the other team that is tearing up the National League.
The Braves (28-13) are currently lapping the field in the NL East with a nine-game lead in the standings. It’s been a complete 180 from a disastrous injury-filled 2025 that saw them finish way behind in the standings. Atlanta has the best offense in baseball so far, with a .784 team OPS that ranks first in MLB and 57 home runs to trail only the Yankees (64). First baseman Matt Olson is probably the biggest threat in the lineup with 14 home runs and a 1.031 OPS.
Reigning Rookie of the Year catcher Drake Baldwin has been avoiding the sophomore slump with 10 dingers already. Speedy center fielder Michael Harris II and perennial Cubs-killing second baseman Ozzie Albies are also doing well.
Don’t worry, the Bravos also have the best pitching in MLB with a league-leading 3.14 team ERA. Veteran fire-baller Chris Sale leads a very strong starting rotation with a 2.20 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 49 innings. The bullpen is slightly worse than the rotation, but it’s still in the top 10 with a 3.31 ERA. Former Padres reliever Robert Suárez and Raisel Iglesias have been lights out at the back end of the ‘pen.
This is going to be a big challenge for the Cubs against a team firing on all cylinders. They have always struggled in Atlanta, but it should be fun to see a clash between two of the best squaeds in the game.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Tuesday, May 12 at 6:15pm CT on TBS and Marquee.
- Wednesday, May 13 at 6:15pm CT on Marquee.
- Thursday, May 14 at 6:15pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 5/12 | Colin Rea | 35 | R | 4.03 | 4-1 | 3.67 | 2.92 |
| Grant Holmes | 30 | R | 4.34 | 2–1 | 5.02 | 1.71 | |
| 5/13 | Shōta Imanaga | 32 | L | 2.28 | 4-2 | 2.80 | 4.08 |
| JR Ritchie | 22 | R | 3.63 | 1-0 | 6.87 | 1.08 | |
| 5/14 | Ben Brown | 26 | R | 1.82 | 1-1 | 2.64 | 3.00 |
| Chris Sale | 37 | L | 2.20 | 6-2 | 3.46 | 4.67 |
What to Watch For
- Nico Hoerner is in his first slump of the season going 5-29 in his last six games.
- Michael Conforto is going in the opposite direction with six hits and three walks against the Rangers.
- Imanaga continues to have a very strong season, but he struggled against another top offense when he took on the Dodgers in April.
