Braves at Cubs
The upstart Atlanta Braves have held their own against some of the National League’s best teams, and they’ll face another big test with a three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs that begins Friday. Atlanta has split six games with Washington en route to a 7-5 start and now faces another of the expected contenders for the NL pennant.
The Cubs are off to a bit of a disappointing start, sitting at .500 after dropping two of three to visiting Pittsburgh to begin the week. Chicago’s inconsistency at the plate continued, as it followed a season high for runs in Wednesday's 13-5 victory with a weak effort en route to a 6-1 loss in Thursday’s series finale. The Braves had a much-needed day off Thursday after concluding their three-game set at Washington with a 5-3 win in 12 innings. Atlanta’s bats have cooled off after a hot start, as the team has scored a total of only 12 runs over its last five games after averaging eight in its first seven contests.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS South (Atlanta), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-0, 5.23)
Sanchez is hoping to revive his career after a couple of rough years to end his tenure with Detroit. The 34-year-old worked three strong innings of relief in his Braves debut and was effective in his first start Saturday at Colorado, allowing two runs and seven hits with six strikeouts over five innings. Sanchez is 3-2 with a 3.82 ERA in seven career turns against the Cubs, with the last occurring in 2015.
After a lackluster debut, Darvish was dominant in his second start with the Cubs. The 31-year-old native of Japan registered nine strikeouts and allowed only two hits – including a solo homer – over six innings Saturday at Milwaukee. Darvish will be facing the Braves for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a homer on Thursday and is batting .339 with 11 blasts in his last 37 home games.
2. Braves 2B Ozzie Albies has recorded five multi-hit performances in his last eight games, batting .382 with five doubles and three homers over that stretch.
3. Chicago has homered in 12 straight home games dating to last season, which matches its longest streak since a 17-game run in 2015.