Braves at Cubs
The Atlanta Braves keep racking up the victories and search for their 16th triumph in 20 contests when they visit the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their four-game series. Atlanta has surrendered only five runs while winning their last two meetings after the Cubs prevailed in Monday's opener.
Nick Markakis belted a three-run homer and Brian McCann also went deep in Wednesday's 5-3 victory as the Braves improved to 4-2 on their 10-game road trip. Freddie Freeman recorded two hits to raise his average for the month to .327 and has registered eight two-hit performances in his last 14 contests. Willson Contreras went 2-for-3 with a homer for Chicago on Wednesday and is 5-for-10 with two blasts and six RBIs in the series. Kris Bryant went 3-for-5 with a homer to halt his 10-game power drought while Addison Russell notched two hits for his first multi-hit effort since June 1.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Bryse Wilson (0-0, 8.31 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-1, 3.69)
Wilson will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his second start this season and the third of his career. The 21-year-old lost to Philadelphia in his first major-league start of the year, giving up four runs, five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Wilson is 4-6 with a 3.79 ERA in 14 starts for Gwinnett, registering 79 strikeouts in 78 1/3 frames.
Chatwood is making his second straight start and third of the season. The 29-year-old allowed three runs - two earned - and six hits in four innings against the New York Mets in his last turn. Chatwood is 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the Braves and has struggled with Freeman (8-for-16, four RBIs).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs will activate RHP Craig Kimbrel prior to Thursday's game, but MGR Joe Maddon wasn't ready to reveal specifics over how the veteran closer will be used upon his arrival.
2. Atlanta RHP Mike Soroka (forearm) is expected to make his scheduled start against the New York Mets on Friday after being struck by a line drive in Sunday's contest against Washington.
3. Rizzo is 1-for-10 in the series and 4-for-27 over his last nine games.