Atlanta fell 13 9 to Chicago in a wild series opener that flipped early momentum. Spencer Strider could not locate the zone, delivering 3 innings of 10 hits and 7 earned runs, lifting his season ERA to 5.24. The Braves finally cracked the scoreboard when Ronald Acuña Jr drove in Matt Olson for the first run in the fifth, followed by Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar launching two run homers in the sixth. Profar added a third run with a homer in the eighth as Vidal Bruján pushed Eli White across on an RBI single for a sixth run.

Chicago built the high scoring night by abusing Strider and then rolling with consistent power from its lineup, a sharp contrast to Braves on the road streak. Bryce Elder is lined up to take the ball next, in hopes of righting the ship for Atlanta. The White Sox prevailed with a homer heavy attack, making this opener feel like a swingy fantasy episode where multi category contributions from Acuña, Olson, Harris II, Profar and Bruján could shift the next day’s lineup chips.

Fantasy takeaway centers on the Braves to lean on Acuña Jr, Olson, Harris II and Profar for offensive consistency, with Bruján and Eli White offering depth and potential stolen base or run scenarios. Striders next start becomes a focal point for Braves backers, while Elders matchup will be watched closely for potential bounce back performances as Atlanta looks to even the series.

Vidal Brujan, once a promising prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, now finds himself with the Chicago Cubs struggling to carve out a significant role. Activated in mid-April, he has only started six games this season, largely serving as a defensive replacement or pinch-runner rather than a consistent contributor. With a dismal .389 OPS this year and a career average of .522, the Cubs may consider trading him as the deadline approaches, especially since he hasn't showcased the offensive production expected of him.

Despite his decent speed, his career stolen base percentage stands at 53%, and he ranks in the 42nd percentile for sprint speed, raising doubts about his overall impact. Analysts see him as potentially disposable, with other teams likely reluctant to acquire a player struggling offensively.

The Chicago Cubs demonstrated their baserunning skills in a decisive 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, completing a three-game City Series sweep. Pete Crow-Armstrong led the charge, hitting a double, and later scoring on Seiya Suzuki's sacrifice fly, contributing to the Cubs’ three-run sixth inning. Vidal Bruján's aggressive running played a crucial role, scoring on a close play at home plate after a review upheld the initial safe call. White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, citing poor fielding and tough weather conditions as significant factors in their fourth consecutive defeat.

Despite Miguel Vargas's home run for the Sox, their offensive struggles persisted. The Cubs capitalized on defensive errors from the White Sox, further extending their lead. As the Sox fell to 14-33, they matched the worst start in franchise history, with manager Will Venable emphasizing the need for improved execution moving forward.

The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move by sending their top prospect, Matt Shaw, back to Triple-A Iowa. The 23-year-old third baseman, who was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 draft, struggled in his brief MLB debut, hitting just .172 with 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances. In his absence, utility player Vidal Bruján has been activated from the injured list. Shaw's demotion allows him time to regain his form after a solid stint in Triple-A last season where he produced a .929 OPS.

This decision comes as the Cubs, currently leading the NL Central, are evaluating their infield depth. Veteran Justin Turner has also been utilized at third base, though at this stage in his career, he is better suited for first base or designated hitter. The Cubs now turn to utility man Jon Berti and Rule 5 Draft pick Gage Workman as they navigate through Shaw's absence. With a strong run differential, the Cubs need to ensure their infield is performing optimally as the season progresses.