Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves preview, game 2: Braves going for series win

Apr 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher

(30) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

While many eyes are focused on football and the 2014 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Braves are going back to work in Turner Field, looking to get a series win under their belts against the San Francisco Giants.

Yesterday the Braves won the first game of the series thanks to a walk-off single from Freddie Freeman (as well as a great effort on the mound from Julio Teheran) and tonight the club looks to Ervin Santana to lead them to victory.

Santana has been fantastic since coming to the Braves, and is 3-0 in his five starts with the team while boasting a 2.41 ERA, 2.43 FIP and 2.61 xFIP. He’s been striking out 9.62 batters per nine innings and walking just 2.14 batters per nine–good for a K/BB ratio of 4.50.

This is the first time Santana will take the mound since injuring his thumb back on April 25, and it will be interesting to see if that minor injury and break make a difference in the success that he’s been having.

On the hill for the Cubs is Jeff Samardzija, who’s regressed a bit as far as strikeouts go, but has still pitched well this year. Samardzija is 0-3 in seven starts for Chicago, but has a 1.62 ERA, 3.04 FIP and 3.50 xFIP. He’s striking out 6.84 batters per nine innings (as opposed to 9.01 after last season), but his walk numbers look better so far as he’s issuing just 2.70 per nine innings.

Offensively, Jason Heyward has started to do much better in the leadoff role and he has the talent to carry the entire lineup on his back when everything’s going good for him. He’s hit safely in 15 of the team’s past 18 games.

Date: May 10, 2014

Start Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV Channel: Fox Sports South

Radio: 680 AM/106.7 FM (Local in Atlanta), Full list of Local Affiliates

Live Stream: MLB.tv (Click Here, $)