Glavine Takes on Cubs
Earlier this season, one of the biggest criticisms of the Chicago Cubs was their inability to win consistently on the road. They seem to have solved that problem.
The NL Central-leading Cubs look to win their eighth straight road game for the first time in 63 years Thursday as they go for the season sweep over the Atlanta Braves in the finale of the three-game set.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Chicago -132 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9.5 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 86% of bets for this game have been placed on Chicago -132 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Chicago (73-47) owns the best record in the NL, thanks to a league-best 45-17 home record. While the Cubs have been tough to beat at Wrigley Field all season, playing on the road was another story a few weeks ago.
Chicago was a season-worst 21-30 on the road on July 22, but hasn’t lost away from Wrigley since.
The Cubs earned their first doubleheader sweep ever in Atlanta on Wednesday, taking the first game 10-2 and winning the second 8-0.
While Chicago had little trouble taking care of the struggling Braves, their winning streak began with a 10-5 victory over NL West-leading Arizona on July 23 followed by a four-game sweep at wild card-leading Milwaukee.
Chicago, which has won 13 of 16 overall, is outscoring its opponents 59-19 during its road winning streak. The Cubs last won seven straight on the road June 12-22, 2004, and have not won eight consecutive away from Wrigley since reeling off 12 straight from July 1-Aug. 3, 1945.
"Let’s not talk about that and just hope it continues," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said.
The Cubs are also one victory away from sweeping the season series over the Braves for the first time in the rivalry – which dates back to 1876 – as they try for their first three-game sweep in Atlanta since Aug. 20-22, 1985.
The Braves (55-65), meanwhile, have lost nine of their last 11 at Turner Field, and have scored just three runs in losing their last three games overall.
Atlanta managed three hits in Wednesday’s nightcap, as it was shut out for the 12th time this season.
"We struggled from the first pitch of the game," Braves catcher Brian McCann said. "It’s frustrating to play so poorly.
Chicago’s Ted Lilly (11-6, 4.26 ERA) takes the ball Thursday, and he has been at his best away from Wrigley lately, going 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in his last seven road starts.
Lilly has just one loss in his last 12 starts, and is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in five outings since the All-Star break. On Friday, the left-hander allowed two runs and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 3-2, 11-inning win over St. Louis.
In his only start against the Braves this season on June 10, Lilly allowed three runs and four hits with eight strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings to earn a 10-5 win.
Chicago pounded out 24 hits in its two games Wednesday, as All-Star Aramis Ramirez finished the day 4-for-8 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs.
Ramirez is 9-for-20 with six doubles, five RBIs and seven runs in his last five road games, and is batting .480 (12-for-25) with three home runs and two doubles lifetime versus Thursday’s scheduled starter Tom Glavine (2-3, 4.85), who is expected to be activated from the disabled list.
Glavine opposed Lilly and the Cubs on June 10, but the 300-game winner had to leave after three innings with a strained left elbow. He gave up four runs, six hits and four walks.
Glavine has been throwing for the past month, and has not had any further discomfort. In two minor league rehab starts, the 42-year-old left-hander allowed four runs and seven hits in nine innings.
The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner is 15-14 with a 3.72 ERA in 36 career starts against the Cubs, but is 1-3 with a 6.08 ERA in five starts versus them since 2006.
The Braves are 3-9 in Glavine’s starts this season, and the 10-time All-Star has not won since May 20.
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