Atlanta Braves’ Albies, Sanchez shine in Braves series opener v Cubs

The Braves started this series versus the Chicago Cubs having won three of their first four series of the season.  But weather is still a factor this weekend, so how will that go?

This is the last stop of the season’s first road trip for the Atlanta Braves, which unfortunately has been miserably cold.  It continues a homestand for the Cubs that even featured a snow-out that delayed their home opener.

But as for today, Anibal Sanchez took the mound looking to continue his good work since he was picked up by the Braves after being released by the Twins. He was able to cruise through six strong innings, allowing no runs on just three hits with six strikeouts.

Part of what made his outing so successful was the outstanding defense he had playing behind him. Ozzie Albies had not just one web gem…

But two…

Offensively Advantaged

Ozzie also had a great day offensively with two doubles and a run scored on a wild pitch by Yu Darvish to start the Braves big 5th inning. That inning – in which Darvish seemed to be derailed by a balk call – continued with a single by Nick Markakis and a double by Kurt Suzuki to give the Braves a runner on second and third with two outs and Preston Tucker stepping up to the plate…

That was a three-run jack to cap the scoring on both the inning and the day.

Atlanta’s bullpen would go on to protect the 4-0 lead by only allowing one hit in three innings of relief. With the win, Atlanta moves to 8-5 and 3 games back in the East from the first place Mets.

Whats Next?

Aside from Philadelphia, the Braves has managed to more than hold their own thus far against competition that looked like it could put them in an early April hole.  But after going 2-1, 2-1, 1-2, and now 1-0 against a gauntlet of 2017 playoff teams, this team continues to defy odds, stats, expectations, and more.

At this point, even if they drop the next pair against the Cubs, that would be a respectable 4-5 road trip and 8-7 record overall with the rest of the month looking easier on the schedule (aside from a 4-game set with the Mets).

The next two days in Chicago look ugly with the temperatures being in the high 30’s with a 60% chance of rain on Saturday, and temperatures in the low 40’s with a 40% chance of rain on Sunday.

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Here is what those next two games will look like, weather permitting:

• Saturday, April 14, 2:20 PM ET – Newcomb (1-1, 4.35 ERA) v. Quintana (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
• Sunday, April 15, 2:20 PM ET – Teheran (0-1, 7.07 ERA) v. Chatwood (0-2, 4.91 ERA)