Thursday
Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV: SPSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (4-4, 5.61 ERA) vs. RH Jake Arrieta (14-6, 2.39)
Comment: Foltynewicz has been knocked around for six runs on nine hits in two of his past three starts. In his last one Saturday against Arizona, he failed to make it out of the fifth inning. Arrieta has been the ace of the Cubs' staff over Jon Lester, whom the Braves won't face this series. Arrieta is tied for the majors' lead in wins. He's made 11 straight quality starts and the Cubs have won eight of his past nine starts while he's gone 7-1 with a 1.55 ERA. One of those wins came in Atlanta on July 19 when Arrieta pitched seven shutout innings in a 4-1 win.
Friday
Time: 4:05 p.m.
TV: FSSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43) vs. RH Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97 ERA)
Comment: Miller took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his last start Sunday against Arizona before giving up a couple of singles and still couldn't put an end to his streak of winless starts, which now stands at 16. But he did put the Braves in position to win, which they did 2-1 in 10 innings on a Cameron Maybin walk-off homer. The win was just the second for the Braves in a Miller start since May 23. Hendricks gave up two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision against the Braves on July 17. Since then he is 2-1 despite a 6.08 ERA.
Saturday
Time: 4:05 p.m.
TV: FSSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Williams Perez (4-4, 4.34) vs. RH Dan Haren (8-8, 3.63 ERA)
Comment: Perez is 0-4 with a 7.30 ERA in four starts since returning from five weeks on the disabled list with a bruised foot. He was 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 games (eight starts) before the injury. Haren is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts with the Cubs since they acquired him from Miami at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He's given up six home runs in only 15 innings with the Cubs and only one of those was in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Haren got his first win of the year against the Braves, 6-2, on April 15 with the Marlins, allowing just two runs in seven innings.
Sunday
Time: 2:20 p.m.
TV: FSSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-3, 4.65) vs. RH Jason Hammel (10-6, 3.38 ERA)
Comment: Wisler had to leave his last start in San Diego after five innings for precautionary reasons after taking a line drive off the back of his right arm. He is expected to be fine for this outing, though. He hasn't pitched past the sixth inning since July 26. He is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in four August starts after going 5-1 with a 3.43 ERA in his first seven starts after being called up. Hammel gave up five runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in just three innings his last time out against the Tigers. The outing was shortened by rain. He hasn't pitched past the sixth inning since July 3 against Miami.
UPCOMING
Monday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10, p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Rockies, 7:10 p.m.
Thursday: Off.
— Carroll Rogers Walton
