Zack Short makes his first career start for Atlanta as they prepare to host the Cubs

The Atlanta Braves won their last series, but it sure didn’t feel like it.

Atlanta’s Game 3 struggles continued last night, as they lost to the New York Mets. thanks to a home run from outfielder Brandon Nimmospoil a good start with the rebound of Bryce Elder.

But Atlanta moves on, focusing on the second-place Chicago Cubs, who arrive at Truist Park for a three-game set. Game 1 features the two teams’ respective ERA leaders in Chicago. Shota Imanaga and that of Atlanta Reynaldo Lopez.

Here’s how Atlanta will line up for the contest:

RF Ronald Acuna Jr
2B Ozzie Albies
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
LF Adam Duvall
SSOrlando Arcia
CFMichael Harris II
C Travis d’Arnaud
3B Short Zack

Third baseman Austin Riley, who was removed from last night’s game due to “left side strain,” is out of the lineup today as a precaution. After waking up with persistent pain, the team sent him for an MRIthe results of which are not yet available.

López has been Atlanta’s best starter from a statistical standpoint this season: in six starts, he is 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA and has allowed a total of six earned runs in 35, 1 sleeve. He doesn’t have a particularly long track record against Chicago hitters — catcher Yan Gomes is 1-5 and Christopher Morel is 1-1, but no one else has a hit against López .

Here is the Cubs lineup:

LF Mike Tauchman
RF Seiya Suzuki
Cody Bellinger
3B Christophe Morel
DH Ian Happ
SS Nico Hoerner
1B Michael Busch
2 billion Mastrobuoni miles
C Jacob Amaya

Imanaga has made the transition to Major League Baseball very well after eight seasons in the Japanese NPB – he is 5-0 with a 1.08 ERA, having struck out 43 batters in 41.2 innings with only five walks and three home runs allowed.

His fastball, despite only sitting at 92 mph, only allows a .140 batting average thanks to his exemplary carry into the zone, getting over 19 inches of induced vertical break. He pairs this with a splitter, which appeared in the 1980s, combined with a sweeper and curveball. Overall, opposing hitters are hitting just .187 with a .258 hitting left-handed.

Tonight’s series opener is scheduled for a first pitch at 7:20 p.m. ET. Atlanta’s broadcast is on Bally Sports South, while the Cubs are on Marquee Sports Network. For those not in the market, both are available on MLB.tv and there is a national broadcast on FS1.

If you prefer to just listen, the Cubs radio broadcast is available on 670 The Score while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network carries the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and its affiliates nationwide of the Braves.