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Atlanta Braves 2020 schedule: 5 series to circle, including Mike Trout and Angels

By Clint Manry

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels stands in the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels stands in the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

#4. August 3-6 vs. Chicago Cubs

at Wrigley Field

The Braves and Cubs will also clash in July, at SunTrust Park (July 10-12), but as you’ll see later in this piece that final series before the All-Star Break won’t be the most exciting matchup of July.

Also, August looks to be an incredibly tough month for the Braves, as they will face the Washington Nationals, Cubs, Marlins, Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies. A few of those teams could be serious contenders at that point in the season.

But back to the Braves-Cubs series: I think of the Cubs disappointing 2019 the same way I think of the Red Sox’s poor season — two big spenders and historic organizations that didn’t fulfill their expectations. Many of us are aware, but as a result, Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon lost his job (he was quickly hired by the Angels).

With folk hero David Ross at the helm on the north side of Chicago, the Cubs will be a determined team in 2020, not to mention potentially a very different looking team — counting players with options, the club had 20 players eligible for free agency at the start of this offseason.

Without getting into too much detail regarding the Cubs 2020 roster situation, this is a team that could make a splash on the free agent market. Avenging a rough year and being forced to spend money could make this year’s Cub team dangerous and this series a fun one at Wrigley Field.

History and playoff implications

Since the Braves rose out of the dog house of the NL East — going 90-72 in 2018 — the team has done rather well versus the Cubs, going 8-5 over the last 2 seasons, including a 5-2 record in 2019.

This bodes well for the Braves, as the potential for an NLDS matchup with the Cubs is always a likelihood. According to ESPN’s Way-too-early 2020 Power Rankings, the Braves are predicted to be the top team from the NL East (4th in MLB) and the Cubs second in the Central (12th in MLB). This August matchup could very well be an NLDS preview if both teams perform well this season.

And we can’t forget about our old pal Craig Kimbrel, who last season signed a 3 year, $43 million contract with the Cubs. It’s always nice to watch an ex-player face the Braves, especially someone as beloved as Kimbrel.

Overall, a busy winter for the Cubs, coupled with the fact that both teams look to be fierce World Series contenders, I’m looking forward to watching this late-season series.

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