Braves Preview: Atlanta looking to clinch series against Cubs
By Chris Turner
A surge of offense and a late-game error was the difference in the Atlanta Braves knocking off the Chicago Cubs 6-5 on Tuesday night.
The Braves are now on the verge of clinching homefield advantage through the National League playoffs, keeping the Dodgers just out of reach of the best record in the NL.
Atlanta closes out the regular season with just five more games at Truist Park, continuing a three-game series with the wild-card chasing Chicago Cubs.
What to watch for in Wednesday's game
Acuña finishing hot
As of joining the 40/40 club wasn't enough, Ronald Acuña Jr. is hoping to end the year red-hot at the plate, and put an end to the MVP discussion.
The Atlanta mega star is currently on a 10-game hitting streak, with a slugging of .778 during that stretch!
If he can keep those hits in the park, he'll still have a shot at swiping bases number 69 and 70 before the playoffs start.
Vines on the hill
Almost a month since his last start, Darius Vines takes the ball for the second game of this series with the Cubs.
He threw six innings of two-run ball in his first career start against the Colorado Rockies, before making three relief appearances with Atlanta while shuttling back and forth between the big league club and Triple-A Gwinnett. ]
The Braves have struggled when anyone not named Fried, Strider, and sometimes Morton have pitched. If Vines can give Atlanta five good innings on Wednesday, it would go a long way to keeping the bullpen rested with the playoffs starting next week.
First pitch for Atlanta and Chicago is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET. Jameson Taillon will be starting on Wednesday night for the Cubs, and they look to hold their half-game lead over the Marlins in the NL Wild Card race.