Friday’s game: Braves at Cubs

Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43) vs. RH Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97 ERA)

What's new: Miller is trying to snap a 16-game winless streak against a team that helped extend it on July 19 at Turner Field, even though Miller gave up just one earned run (two more unearned) in a 4-1 loss. Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 in the series finale in San Diego to raise his average for the month of August to .333 (22-for-66). He leads the Braves in hitting this month, followed closely by Cameron Maybin, who was hitting .328 (11-for-64) entering the Cubs series. Freddie Freeman went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game back from the disabled list. Michael Bourn finally got some hits to fall Wednesday, going 2-for-4 to match his hit total in his first nine games since rejoining the Braves (2-for-28).

UPCOMING

Saturday: at Cubs, 4:05 p.m.

Sunday: at Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Monday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10, p.m.

Wednesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.

— Carroll Rogers Walton