Cubs’ Hammel hungry to handcuff Braves
Many nostalgic people will miss Turner Field once the facility ceases operations following the season. Jason Hammel won’t be among them.
Chicago’s righty attempts to correct some longstanding personal problems in the Braves’ home ballpark this evening, with a 7:35 p.m. ET first pitch in Georgia. Online sports book BetDSI gives the majors’ best team odds of -225 to claim the series opener. Atlanta, conversely, enters as a +185 underdog. The over/under run figure holds steady at eight.
While Hammel (7-1, 2.14) continues to craft a tremendous campaign, his previous outings in the Peach State have produced disastrous results. In five appearances there, he’s gone 1-3 with a 5.74 ERA. The 33-year-old is only 2-4 with a 5.89 ERA in nine career encounters with the Braves.
As Brian Snitker’s players falter in the here and now, however, the Cubs (41-17) keep demolishing opponents. Joe Maddon’s troops are in the midst of a nine-game, 10-day trip. Led by Kris Bryant (.284/.362/.524), they’re raking as if Wrigley Field remains the setting every night. A rubber-match triumph vs. Philadelphia early in the week boosted Chicago’s road record to 19-9.
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On the flip side, Atlanta (17-42) just completed a 1-5 journey through Los Angeles and San Diego. General manager John Coppolella also dealt infielder Kelly Johnson to the Mets roughly 48 hours ago. No amount of skillful roster tinkering can help the organization’s cause against the Cubbies, though. Look for Hammel to conquer those demons in a big way.
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