HOT LANTA
After another slow start to the season, the reigning World Series champion Braves is once again charging like an October contender, heading into a series in Washington with an 11-game win streak.
It’s the club’s best stretch since their 14th straight win from July 26 to August 9, 2013. Atlanta has outplayed opponents 74-30 with 22 home runs during the run and the pitching staff has a 2 ERA, 32 in the same period.
Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (5-3, 4.53 ERA) has two wins during this streak, although he’s also had a 5.25 ERA in his last two starts – Atlanta has scored 13 runs behind him in every game. He meets Nat’s righty Josiah Gray (6-4, 4.33) to start the series.
LYNN IS HERE
Lance Lynn will return from the injury list and play for the White Sox a day ahead of schedule after manager Tony La Russa changed his rotation in response to Michael Kopech’s injury on Sunday.
Kopech left a start against Texas after 13 pitches with a right knee problem, and La Russa used Johnny Cueto – Monday’s prospective starter – for relief. Kopech was optimistic he would return soon and La Russa said the right-hander could be back by next Sunday.
Lynn was due to return on Tuesday but will instead take Cueto’s vacated seat for a series opener in Detroit. Lynn underwent surgery on his right knee during spring training and is yet to serve this season. The 35-year-old was 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA over 28 starts last year.
MASTER MARLIN
Miami right-hander Sandy Alcantara looks to continue his impressive run when he starts against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The 26-year-old Alcantara (6-2, 1.61 ERA) has allowed just three earned runs in 48 innings in his last six starts.
Aaron Nola (4-4, 3.50) plays for Philadelphia, who ended their nine-game winning streak with a loss to Arizona on Sunday.
BACK TO WRIGLEY
The Cubs return home on a six-game losing streak as left-back Justin Steele (1-5, 4.79 ERA) takes on Yu Darvish (5-3, 3.61) and the Padres.
Chicago was beaten 18-4 and surpassed 28-5 at Yankee Stadium on Sunday while being swept in a three-game series.
The Cubs fell 4-23 overall against the Yankees, including two World Series sweeps in the 1930s by New York teams featuring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. The Cubs are 0-12 in the Bronx.
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