ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:
Big Inning
Atlanta sent 11 batters to the plate, collected eight hits and scored seven runs in the fourth inning yesterday. The Braves did not have a baserunner over the first three frames. Atlanta’s eight hits in the inning were its most since the eighth inning on July 7, 2021 at Pittsburgh, when the club also had eight. Six of the Braves’ eight hits in the inning went for extra bases…Per MLB’s Sarah Langs, it was just the third time in the last 50 years the club had six extra-base hits in a single inning, and the first since June 11, 2002 at Minnesota. Atlanta tallied just three hits and one run in the other eight innings yesterday.
TODAY’S GAME: The Braves and Cubs today continue a three-game weekend series in what is the second of six scheduled meetings between the clubs this season…Chicago is slated to visit Atlanta during the Braves’ final homestand of the season, September 26-28.
- The Braves shut out the Cubs yesterday afternoon, 8-0, to win the opening game of the series.
- Atlanta and Chicago split six games last season, with each team winning two-of-three in their home park.
- Atlanta has not lost the season series with Chicago since 2017, when they dropped six-of-seven games with the Cubs…The clubs split six games in 2018 and last season, and Atlanta won five-of-seven in both 2019 and 2021…The Braves are 17-10 (.629) against the Cubs since the start of 2018.
- Atlanta dropped two-of-three here at Wrigley Field last season, just the fourth series the club has lost here since 2009…The Braves are 23-21 (.523) here since that date, going 8-5-1 in series play.
- RH Bryce Elder has never faced Chicago, and has pitched against just one member of the Cubs current roster…INF Jeimer Candelario is 1-for-2 with a homer against him…The 6-foot-2, 220- pound right-hander is 8-2 with a 3.18 ERA (43 ER/121.2 IP) over 21 starts for Atlanta this season, and has allowed just three earned runs over 13.0 innings (2.08 ERA) in his last two turns.
- RH Javier Assad has also never faced Atlanta, nor has he pitched against a current Braves player…The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Tijuana, Mexico, has made 19 appearances but just one start for Chicago this season, compiling a 1-2 record and a 3.24 ERA (18 ER/50.0 IP).
WIN: Atlanta blanked Chicago, 8-0, yesterday afternoon to win the opening game of the series…The Braves improved to 14-2 (.875) in games against the N.L. Central this season.
- Seven of Atlanta’s eight runs scored in the fourth inning, just the third time this season the Braves scored at least seven in a single inning… They also did so in the first inning on May 28 vs. Philadelphia, and in the second on May 3 at Miami.
- Six of Atlanta’s 11 hits on the game went for extra bases, and the Braves’ 404 extra-base hits on the season are now the most in the majors…Atlanta passed Texas yesterday afternoon, despite playing three fewer games than the Rangers.
- LH Max Fried was activated off the 60-day injured list prior to yesterday’s start and pitched 6.0 scoreless innings in his first turn since May 5… It was the 12th scoreless start of at least 6.0 innings by the Atlanta staff this season, and the Braves are 11-1 (.917) when a starter does so.
- Atlanta improved to 25-11 (.694) in the first game of a series, including a 12-6 (.667) mark in such games on the road.
CONTRIBUTIONS: All nine Atlanta starters collected at least one hit yesterday afternoon, eight of the nine scored a run, and six different hitters tallied an RBI.
- All nine Atlanta starters had a hit for the ninth time this season, the most by a single team in baseball… Three of the Braves’ such efforts have come in their
last seven games (also July 28 & July 29). - Atlanta sent 11 batters to the plate in yesterday’s fourth inning…Despite ranking third in the majors with 609 runs this season, that was just the sixth time this season that the Braves batted around in an inning…Ten teams have done so more, including a majors-best 13 times batting around by the Rangers.
BACK-TO-BACK: Sean Murphy and Marcell Ozuna hit back-to-back home runs in yesterday’s fourth inning, the third straight game in which Atlanta has hit consecutive home runs…The Braves have 14 sets of back-to-back homers in total this season, most in the majors.
- Orlando Arcia and Michael Harris II went back-toback on Tuesday night, and Austin Riley and Matt Olson did so Wednesday afternoon.
- Per Elias, Atlanta is just two sets of homers shy of matching the single-season franchise record (16 pairs in 2019), and four sets shy of the single-season MLB record…The Mariners went back-to-back 18 times in 1996.
- Dating to the start of the 2019 season, no club in baseball has gone back-to-back more often than Atlanta…The Braves have 54 sets of consecutive homers in that span, five more than any other team (Los Angeles-NL, 49).
- Riley and Olson have hit back-to-back home runs six times this season, most by a set of teammates in baseball this year and a new franchise record for the most by Braves teammates within a single season… The previous high of five was done by Chipper Jones and Bret Boone in 1999…No pairing has hit at least seven back-to-back home runs in a single season since San Francisco’s Barry Bonds and Rich Aurilia in 2001…Research courtesy Elias.
DAY GAMES: Atlanta is set to play its second of three straight day games against Chicago this weekend, with all three games slated for a 1:20 p.m. start locally.
- The Braves are 26-11 (.703) in day games this season, the best record in baseball, including wins in five straight.
- Atlanta is batting .253/.321/.467 in the daytime this season, and its .788 OPS and 5.54 runs per game in the day are both best in the National League.
- 1B Matt Olson has a majors-most 41 RBI in day games this season, and his 15 home runs in the daylight are most in the N.L.
- Last season, Atlanta played to a 101-61 (.623) record overall, tied for the third-best record in baseball… However, the Braves went just 24-27 (.471) in day games, the 19th-best record in the majors.
Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #55 Bryce Elder RHP
2023 Record: 8-2, 3.18 ERA • 2022 Record: 2-4, 3.17 ERA
vs. RHB: .238 (54-227), 6 HR • vs. LHB: .240 (54-225), 6 HR
Home: 4-1, 3.44 ERA (26 ER/68.0 IP) • Away: 4-1, 2.85 ERA (17 ER/53.2 IP)
Today’s Game
- Set to make his first career start against Chicago (NL) and 22nd on the season.
- In his last start, Elder held Milwaukee to two runs over 6.0 innings pitched with a no-decision.
- Pitched to a 18.00 ERA between his starts on July 9 and July 18.
- Sporting a combined 2.41 ERA in all other starts this season.
- His 3.18 ERA on the season is the fourth lowest in the NL among qualifiers.
- No Braves pitcher was won the ERA title since Greg Maddux (2.22) in 1998.
- Elder’s 5.65 ERA with ROB is the sixth lowest in the NL among qualifiers.
- Opponents are hitting .203 against him with runners on base, the second lowest rate in the National League and sixth lowest in the majors (among QS).
- Owns a 28.9 left on base percentage.
- His groundball rate of 54.2% of balls put in play is the fifth highest in the majors among qualified starters.
- Has recorded an out on 60.6% of those grounders put in play.
- The average launch angle of balls put in play against Elder is 7.50; sixth lowest in the National League.
- Elder is pitching to a 2.51 ERA while holding opponents to a .232/.291/.356 line the first two times through the lineup.
- Conversely, owns a 5.87 ERA and hitters have a line of .259/.333/.420 the third time through the order and on.
- Is 9-3 with a 2.86 ERA over his last 26 games started after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for the second time, dating to August 14, 2022.
- His 2.86 ERA is the third lowest among pitchers with as many starts during that span.
- He has six starts in his career of at least 6.0 innings without allowing a run, the most such games in Braves franchise history (since 1900) in a player’s first 25 starts…Irv Young (1905), Clif Curtis (1909-’10) and Ian Anderson (’20-21) each had five such starts.
2023 Recap
- Named to the 2023 National League All-Star Team, his first selection.
- Joined Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz and Michael Soroka as the only starters in Atlanta-franchise history to make the All-Star team in their second year playing.
- Joined Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz, Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran as the only Atlanta-era pitchers, age 24 or younger to post a 2.40 ERA or lower through their
first 15 starts to a season. - Elder has 20 games of at least 5.1 innings pitched in 25 career starts; the most in Atlanta franchise history through as many games started.
- Elder’s 2.30 ERA through 20 career starts is the lowest in Atlanta franchise history to begin a career.
- His 117.1 innings pitched through his first 20 games started were the most by an Atlanta player to begin their career since Julio Teheran in 2011-13.
- His 30 earned runs allwed are also the fewest during that span.
- Elder has held opponents to one run or less in nine games this season while pitching at least 5.0 frames in every outing.
- His 13 appearances of at least 5.0 innings pitched while holding opponents to one run or less are the most through a player’s first 25 outings in Atlanta franchise history.
CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Braves
The Cubs and Braves play the first three games of their six-game season series this weekend … the clubs will finish the season series with three games in Atlanta, Sept. 26-28 … Chicago and Atlanta split the 2022 season-series, 3-3, with both teams going 2-1 at home … the Cubs have not won a season series vs. Atlanta since
2017, when they went 6-1.
TAKE TWO!: The Chicago Cubs today take on the Atlanta Braves in the second game of the three-game weekend series … Chicago yesterday dropped the first game of the
series 8-0 … Kyle Hendricks threw 4.0 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits, all in the fourth inning, for his shortest outing of the season … the Cubs’ offense was silenced for most of the game with only Cody Bellinger (2), Miguel Amaya and Nick Madrigal recording hits.
The Cubs are 13-4 in their last 17 games since July 18 … following play on July 20, the Cubs sat 7.0-games out of a wild-card spot and 8.5-games back of the division lead … the club enters today 2.0-games out of a wild card spot and 2.5-games back of division-leading Milwaukee.
The Cubs are 3-2 on this seven-game homestand against the Cincinnati Reds (3-1) and the Atlanta Braves (0-1).
Today marks the 12th (8-3) of 16-straight gamedays through August 9.
The Cubs (+71) are the only N.L. Central Division club with a positive run differential (Pittsburgh, -84; St. Louis, -31; Cincinnati, -22; Milwaukee, -6).
SINCE JUNE 9…: The Cubs, at 56-54, are 30-18 since June 9 when the team was a season-low 10-games below .500 at 26-36 following a loss at the Angels June 8.
Starting June 9, the Cubs’ 30-18 record (.625 winning percentage) is tied with Baltimore for the second-best in the majors, trailing today’s opponent, Atlanta (32-13/.711).
In 48 games since June 9, the Cubs have hit .271, scored 296 runs … their 296 runs are the most in the major leagues and their .273 batting average (445-for1,659) ranks second.
THE ‘PEN IS BULLISH: The Cubs bullpen has thrown at least 4.0 innings in each of the last three games, including 5.0 innings yesterday … the ‘pen has pitched to a 2.01 ERA (10 ER/44.2 IP) in the last 11 games dating to July 25, compared to a 5.11 ERA in the previous 17 games … the relievers’ 2.01 ERA since July 25 ranks second in the N.L. and fourth in the majors in that span and their 44.2 innings pitched is second-most in baseball.
In that same time frame, Chicago’s bullpen has a 0.87 WHIP which leads the majors and its 47 strikeouts are tied for first.
SINCE THE BREAK…: Entering today, in 21 games since the All-Star break, Chicago has scored 150 runs, the most in the majors, leading the second-place Dodgers by 31 runs (119) … the Cubs’ .299 team average (219-for-733) since the break is the highest in the majors by 23 points (Dodgers – .276), while the club’s .889 OPS during that span also leads the majors.
Chicago’s 14-7 record (.667 winning percentage) since the break is tied for the best in the major leagues (also Baltimore).
Stats Perform noted that the Cubs’ 150 runs in the first 20 games after the break entering the game yesterday is tied for the second-most since the All-Star break first took place in 1933, trailing the California Angels (161 in 1995).
A LOOK BACK AT THE SERIES THAT WAS: The Cubs totaled 46 runs during the recent four-game series against Cincinnati, the most by the club in a single series since a three-game series vs. Pittsburgh, Sept. 13-15, 2019 (47 runs) … Ed Hartig notes that the last time the Cubs scored 46 runs in a four-game series was June 27-29, 1961 vs. Cincinnati.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Cubs scored 36 runs in two games (20 runs Tuesday, 16 runs Wednesday), their most in a two-game span since June 29-30, 1897 (43 runs) … as a part of the 36 runs, Chicago hit 12 home runs during the two games, the most in back-to-back games in franchise history.
Hartig pointed out that the Cubs scored at least 16 runs in back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 12-13, 1894.
Per ESPN, the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday became the first team in MLB history with at least 10 extra-base hits and five homers in consecutive games.
NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN: Dansby Swanson this weekend plays his first series against his former team, the Atlanta Braves … Swanson spent the 2015-22 seasons in the Braves organization, which included his major league debut in 2016 and a World Series championship in 2021.
In 827 games across parts of seven seasons with Atlanta, Swanson hit .255 (775-for-3,043) with 161 doubles, 13 triples, 102 home runs and 411 RBI … he was named an All-Star and a Gold Glove award winner in 2022 with the club.
Swanson in 13 games since being activated from the IL July 22, Swanson is batting .298 (14-for-47) with two doubles, six home runs, 15 RBI and a 1.093 OPS … Swanson’s 15 RBI since July 22 are tied for the most in the majors.
YOU BETTER BELLI-EVE IT: Cody Bellinger, July’s N.L. Player of the Month, this season is batting .319 (96-for-301) with 16 doubles, one triple, 16 homers, 51 RBI and 15 stolen bases … entering play today, Bellinger and Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. are the only two major leaguers to have at least a .315 average, 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases.
In 42 games since being reinstated from the injured list on June 15 (left knee contusion), Bellinger is hitting .363 (57-for-157) with seven doubles, nine homers, 31 RBI, a .399 OBP and a .580 slugging percentage.
THE CANDY MAN CAN: Jeimer Candelario hit safely in each of his first three games with the Cubs this season, going 9-for-12 (.750) with three doubles and six runs scored.
Per ESPN, Candelario became the first player in the major leagues since at least 1900 to have at least eight hits in the first two games (8-for-9/.889) with a team after playing for a different organization earlier in the season.
Starting Pitcher – #72 RHP Javier Assad (1-2, 3.24)
Last Time Out
Javier made his third relief outing of at least 3.2 scoreless innings this season July 31 vs. Cincinnati … has held the opponent scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances, posting a 0.40 ERA (1 ER/22.1 IP).
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
7/31 CIN ND, 5-6 3.2 1 0 0 3 4 62-34 4-6, 1 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 0-2 3.50 13 1 36.0 32 14 14 18 35
Road 1-0 2.57 6 0 14.0 10 4 4 5 5
AVG vs. LHB: .256 (20-for-78) / AVG vs. RHB: .216 (22-for-102)
Javier will make his 20th appearance of the season (second start) today … has pitched to a 0.40 ERA (1 ER/22.1 IP) in nine outings since June 27, the second-lowest ERA among major league relievers during the span (min. 15.0 IP) … made his lone start of the season April 20 vs. Los Angeles (N.L.), receiving a no-decision (2 ER/3.0 IP) … is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA (14 ER/39.2 IP) in nine career starts, compared to 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA (17 ER/48.0 IP) in 19 career relief outings.
Has made four starts over three stints with Triple-A Iowa in 2023 (April 10-20, April 21-May 3, May 12-24), going 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA (6 ER/14.2 IP).
Made his first career Opening Day roster, appearing in two games in relief (6 ER/4.1 IP) … was optioned to Iowa April 10.
Pitched in three games (one start) in spring training, posting a 2.57 ERA (2 ER/7.0 IP).
Pitched for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts in two relief appearances.
