ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Braves are looking to wrap up a series against the Chicago Cubs on a high note Wednesday.
The Braves won the first game of the series 4-1 Monday and lost Tuesday’s game 6-1.
The Braves will look to ace Chris Sale to continue his hot streak at home. He has just a 2.05 ERA and a .220 batting average against in 44 innings at Truist Park in 2025.
Historically, Sale has had the Cubs’ number. He is 3-1 with an ERA of 0.93 and 41 strikeouts in six appearances against the Cubs. He hasn’t pitched against the Cubs in 2025, but struck out nine in seven innings during his sole appearance against the Cubs in 2024.
Sale will face a Cubs lineup slashing .257/.320/.447 on the road this season, good enough for a 111 wRC+. They’ve performed far worse against the Braves’ pitching staff, hitting .208/.257/.308.
The Cubs have not announced a starting pitcher. The most likely options are Javier Assad and Matthew Boyd.
In two starts against the Braves last year, Assad gave up two runs in 10 2/3 innings. He has a 4.50 ERA and a .288 batting average against on the road this season.
Boyd has a 3.62 ERA and a .250 average against on the road this season.
The Braves lineup has fared better against the Cubs this season, slashing .231/.295/.410. Braves hitters have been especially good at the longball against the Northsiders, hitting six home runs on 31 hits.
Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker was moved to the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left calf tightness, extending an absence that began Sept. 2. Tucker is hitting .270 with a team-best .854 OPS. He has 22 home runs in his first year with the Cubs after seven seasons with Houston. The Cubs are 1-4 since Tucker’s injury.
The Braves will be without catcher Sean Murphy for the rest of the season after he undergoes hip surgery on Sept. 11. He was put on the injured list earlier this week.
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