The Atlanta Braves host the Chicago Cubs for their second series of the year at 7:10 p.m. ET. Don't miss the live streaming action as Opening Week continues. Let's look at the lineups and pitching matchups as we get ready to watch some Friday night baseball.
The Braves are coming off an opening series where they beat the Philadelphia Phillies behind big home runs and great pitching. They are 2-1 at the beginning of the season. As for the Cubs, they are also coming off a 2-1 start to their season.
One pitcher the Braves would love to see on the mound would be Carlos Marmol as the Cubs are attempting to build his stock in order to trade the struggling former closer. The pitcher certainly to be on the mound for the Cubs will be Scott Feldman. After spending his entire career with the Texas Rangers, the right-hander made his way to Chicago. In 2012 he made 21 starts and went 6-11 with a 5.09 ERA.
The Braves will have Mike Minor, their left-handed power pitcher on the hill. This will be Minor's fourth season pitching for the Braves. In 2012 he made 30 starts posting an 11-10 record with 179.1 innings pitched and 145 strikeouts. Minor was fortunate enough to stay in Atlanta as the Braves refused to trade the lefty in the Paul Maholm deal. With Maholm and Mino, the Braves have a balanced pitching staff.
Check out the lineups for both teams.
Cubs Batting Lineup
1. Sappelt CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Soriano LF
5. Hairston RF
6. Castillo C
7. Lillibridge 3B
8. Gonzalez 2B
9. Feldman P
Braves Batting Lineup
1. Simmons SS
2. Heyward RF
3. Upton LF
4. Freeman 1B?
5. B.J. Upton CF
6. Uggla 2B
7. Francisco 3B
8. Gattis C
9. Minor P
As Braves fans can see, manager Fredi Gonzalez still can't pick between which third baseman and catcher to have on the mound. It could also just be coincidence that the Braves have played lefty-righty-lefty-right through their first four games. Evan Gattis and Juan Francisco get plugged back into the lineup after resting Game 1, playing Game 2 and resting again in Game 3.
Click here to watch live streaming action of the Braves vs. Cubs.
