Thursday: 3-1, + 2.62 units
Atlanta -1. 2 units. (-125). The Cubs benefitted from a dismal start to the year by the Pirates. Now they're 2-1. I'm not sure the Cubs won, possibly the Bucs just gave away 2 games. But make no mistake about it, the Cubs hitting attack is awful right now. Many of their hitters are still looking for their first hit, and the Pirates didn't exactly send out any aces. Now Mike Minor is a risk. He didn't have a good spring, but I'm counting on his last minor league warm up, and fantastic last 2 months of 2012 to carry him through. The Cubs starter, Scott Feldman was truly bad this spring- 38 hits in 20 IPs. Scouting reports said that many of the hits were hard shots too, line drives and other bullets. And the Braves are hitting. Cliff Lee was dealing, and almost un-hittable Thursday night, but they'll see a batting practice type pitcher Friday night, and he's a righty, unlike Lee. Braves also have the bullpen edge by quite a bit. Marmol, the Cubs closer, almost gave away the Pirate game Thursday night.
Atlanta -1. 2 units. (-125). The Cubs benefitted from a dismal start to the year by the Pirates. Now they're 2-1. I'm not sure the Cubs won, possibly the Bucs just gave away 2 games. But make no mistake about it, the Cubs hitting attack is awful right now. Many of their hitters are still looking for their first hit, and the Pirates didn't exactly send out any aces. Now Mike Minor is a risk. He didn't have a good spring, but I'm counting on his last minor league warm up, and fantastic last 2 months of 2012 to carry him through. The Cubs starter, Scott Feldman was truly bad this spring- 38 hits in 20 IPs. Scouting reports said that many of the hits were hard shots too, line drives and other bullets. And the Braves are hitting. Cliff Lee was dealing, and almost un-hittable Thursday night, but they'll see a batting practice type pitcher Friday night, and he's a righty, unlike Lee. Braves also have the bullpen edge by quite a bit. Marmol, the Cubs closer, almost gave away the Pirate game Thursday night.