Oct 7, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of game three of the 2018 NLDS playoff baseball series at SunTrust Park. Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Cubs will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they play at the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday evening.
Chicago had a day off Tuesday to reflect on an ugly 8-0 loss against Atlanta in the series opener. The Cubs committed a whopping six errors, which marked their most since 2006, and they stranded 10 runners on offense.
“We were saying it’s only on April Fools does a game like that happen,” Cubs infielder David Bote said in the Chicago Sun-Times. “That’s why we’ve got 158 left to go. We’ll be all right.”
Similar optimism exists in Atlanta, which dropped its first three games before bouncing back with the big win over the Cubs.
The Braves have another reason to feel good. They agreed to terms Tuesday with 21-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. on an eight-year, $100 million contract extension.
The deal begins this season and is the largest in history for a player with as little major league service time as Acuna (165 days), according to the Braves. He also is believed to be the youngest player to receive a $100 million contract.
Acuna’s contract runs through 2026 and includes club options for 2027 and 2028, with ESPN and other outlets reporting that the options are worth $17 million each.
Acuna hit .293 with 26 home runs, 64 RBIs and 16 stolen bases while winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2018. He already has homered once this year and is considered to be one of the best young players in the game.
Last fall, Acuna became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the postseason, breaking a record held by Mickey Mantle.
“You don’t see somebody that young doing the things that he is doing, and we are just lucky to have him on the same team,” Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte said on MLB.com. “I’m always telling him to work and to stay healthy because the things you are going to be able to do in this game are not just good for you, they are great for this team.”
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (1-0, 3.00 ERA) will try to subdue Acuna and the rest of the Braves. The 14-year veteran fared well in the season opener as he limited the Texas Rangers to two runs and four hits in six innings.
In nine career starts against the Braves, Lester is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA. He has 13 walks and 56 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.
Lester last faced the Braves in 2017, when he went 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts. He never has faced Acuna, but he has done well against Braves hitters such as Inciarte (1-for-16) and Josh Donaldson (2-for-12).
The Braves will counter with right-hander Julio Teheran (0-1, 5.40). Teheran drew the loss in his season debut against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing three runs and four hits in five innings.
The 28-year-old Colombia native is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs. He won his lone appearance against Chicago last season despite allowing four runs in six innings.
Teheran has stymied Kris Bryant, striking him out five times in 11 at-bats while surrendering only one hit.
