The Atlanta Braves are looking to end their series against the Chicago Cubs on a high note. As one of the worst road teams in the major leagues, the Braves have certainly shown that to be true at Wrigley Field. Averaging just 2.4 runs per game on the road, the Braves are aiming to get some kind of momentum in their favor as they face a Chicago Cubs team thinking more and more about the playoffs.
The Braves are not headed to the playoffs this year having been all-but mathematically eliminated. Atlanta is simply looking to get a better glimpse at future talent while improving their record any way they can. Williams Perez takes the mound while being 4-4 on the season with a 4.34 ERA. He struggled in his last start giving up four runs on seven hits in just over six innings of play. Perez is currently on a four-game losing streak while being winless in his last five outings. With the Chicago Cubs batting lineup finding their footings at this point in the season, he could find it hard to break that streak.
The Braves are simply struggling to get out of their own way. The offense has been took inconsistent to get wins on the board. Players like Nick Markakis and Cameron Maybin have come up big in certain games while going ice cold in others. Freddie Freeman has the best batting average at Wrigley Field, but has been quiet since his return from the disabled list.
The Chicago Cubs will counter with Dan Haren on the mound. Haren came to the Cubs from the Miami Marlins. In three starts with the team he has gone 1-1 while having a 3.63 ERA on the season. His last start against the White Sox was a struggle. Haren only lasted 4.2 innings of play while giving up seven hits and three runs. Since arriving in Chicago, Haren has failed to go longer than 5.1 innings in his last three starts while giving up at least three runs in each of those games.
Haren will rely heavily on guys like Anthony Rizzo who is making a case for NL MVP. The Braves are seeing just how good Rizzo has been this year after he knocked out a big blast to get the Thursday win. The Cubs will need that performance to continue form the star.