Cubs-Braves Showdown: Key Matchups and Struggles

The Leadoff Man

The Cubs are gearing up for an intense series against the Braves, starting tonight! With intriguing pitching matchups and key roster changes, this series promises to be a rollercoaster. As we look forward to these matchups, one player's performance stands out as particularly pivotal: Seiya Suzuki. His recent struggles at the plate could significantly impact the Cubs' chances in this series and beyond. Let’s dive into both the series preview and what Suzuki's performance means for the team moving forward.

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Cubs-Braves Series Preview

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 7:40 pm ET

The series kicks off with a matchup between veteran Charlie Morton for the Braves and Javier Assad for the Cubs. Morton enters the game with a 3-1 record and a 3.52 ERA, suggesting he's been pitching effectively this season. On the other hand, Assad boasts a 4-0 record and an impressive 1.49 ERA.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 7:40 pm ET

The second game features a battle between lefties Max Fried of the Braves and Justin Steele of the Cubs. Fried carries a 3-2 record and a 3.81 ERA into the game, while Steele holds a 0-1 record and a 5.21 ERA.

Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2:20 pm ET

The Braves will send Darius Vines to the mound. Vines has struggled so far, posting an 0-1 record and a 4.66 ERA in limited action. The Cubs have not officially announced their starter for this game, but Kyle Hendricks is a projected candidate despite his rough start to the season, with an 0-4 record and a 10.57 ERA. Some Cubs fans are expressing concern over Hendricks' performance, but sharing the love as shown here.

Other Notable Information

• The Braves are coming off a tough weekend series against the Padres, including a 9-1 loss on Sunday, which was described as their worst performance of the season. They have a doubleheader today against the Padres. Let's hope their bullpen gets used up.

• Luis Vazquez, a young shortstop known for his defense, has been called up to the Cubs due to injuries to Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Vazquez has shown improvement offensively this season after struggling in his early days in the minors. No official move has been announced, but Miles Mastrobouni may be heading back to AAA Iowa. We are all crossing our fingers that Dansby and Nico can return on Tuesday.

• Christopher Morel has been banged up all year. He had an early wrist issue, an awkward slide into second last week that affected his knee, and then he fouled a ball off his left toe on back-to-back nights. I can foresee him getting a 10-day stint on the IL to rest up.

Tim from Naperville, Illinois asks: "I've been following Seiya Suzuki closely this season and noticed he's been struggling a bit more at the plate compared to last year. Do you think this is just a slump, or is there something deeper going on with his swing mechanics or approach? Also, how do you see him fitting into the lineup moving forward if these struggles continue?"

Seiya Suzuki's Struggles: Temporary or Concerning?

Great question, John! Seiya Suzuki’s performance this season has indeed been a topic among Cubs fans. I was hoping he would start a hot streak over the weekend against the Pirates, but he still seems a little off. Let’s dive into what might be causing his struggles and what it could mean for his future with the team.

Identifying the Issues

Swing Mechanics and Approach:

• Whiff Rate: Suzuki’s whiff percentage has jumped from 21.3% last year to 26.4% this year, indicating he's missing more pitches.

• Walk Rate: His walk percentage has dropped from 10.1% in 2023 to 7.0% in 2024, suggesting he's being less selective at the plate.

• Launch Angle Sweet Spot: This metric has declined from 36.5% to 31.3%, showing he's not squaring up the ball as effectively, leading to more weak contact and fewer solid hits.

Adjusting the Lineup

If Suzuki’s struggles continue, the Cubs might consider adjusting his lineup position. Last year, Suzuki excelled hitting in the 5th or 6th spot. This season, he's been batting 2nd, which might be putting extra pressure on him. Moving him back down could help him regain his form.

Looking Ahead

Suzuki's talent and potential are undeniable. While his current slump is concerning, it's not uncommon for players to experience these phases. The Cubs’ coaching staff will work closely with him to make the necessary adjustments. With the right support, Suzuki is poised to return to his top form.