The Atlanta Braves continue their road trip with a stop in Chicago for a four-game matchup against the surging Cubs. Chicago has been red hot during the second half of the season and have built a three game lead in the race for the final wildcard spot. The Braves on the other hand have been scuffling and opened their road trip with a three-game sweep in San Diego. Atlanta has lost 10 of its last 17 games.
The Braves will send out Mike Foltynewicz on Thursday for his fifth start since rejoining the rotation. He has gone 1-2 and allowed 16 runs in 22 1/3 innings over that span. His last start was particularly messy as he allowed six runs and nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks. Chicago will counter with Jake Arrieta who is tied for the league lead in wins with 14 and boasts a 2.39 ERA on the season. He allowed three hits over seven shutout innings in a win over the Braves back on July 19.
Shelby Miller will take the hill for Atlanta on Friday and will be looking for his first win since May 17. Miller took a no-hitter into the eighth in his last start before settling for a no decision in a 2-1 win by the Braves in Arizona. Chicago will counter with Kyle Hendricks who is 2-0 with a 5.17 ERA in his last three starts.
Williams Perez is scheduled to pitch on Saturday and has struggled since returning from a month long stint on the disabled list. Perez allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the Padres earlier on the road trip. He is winless with a 4.87 ERA over his last three starts. Atlanta has yet to announce a starter for Sunday's series finale.
Probable Starters
Thursday, August 20, 8:05 p.m. ET
ATL: Mike Foltynewicz
2015: 13 starts, 4-4 W-L, 5.61 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 3.0 BB/9, 7.9 K/9
CHI: Jake Arrieta
2015: 24 starts, 14-6 W-L, 2.39 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 2.3 BB/9, 9.1 K/9
Friday, August 21, 4:05 p.m. ET
ATL: Shelby Miller
2015: 24 starts, 5-9 W-L, 2.43 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 3.1 BB/9, 7.6 K/9
CHI: Kyle Hendricks
2015: 23 starts, 6-5 W-L, 3.97 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 2.1 BB/9, 7.6 K/9
Saturday, August 22, 4:05 p.m. ET
ATL: Williams Perez
2015: 12 starts, 4-4 W-L, 4.34 ERA, 4.90 FIP, 4.5 BB/9, 5.5 K/9
CHI: Dan Haren
2015: 24 starts (Total), 8-8 W-L, 3.63 ERA, 4.87 FIP, 1.8 BB/9, 6.3 K/9
Sunday, August 23, 2:20 p.m. ET
ATL: TBA
CHI: Jason Hammel
2015: 23 starts, 6-5 W-L, 3.38 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 1.9 BB/9, 9.0 K/9