- Chicago Cubs (27-16) at Atlanta Braves (30-13) | Truist Park, Atlanta | 7:15 PM ET / 6:15 PM CT
The Chicago Cubs (27–16 after losing 4–1 last night) face the Atlanta Braves (30–13, FIRST TEAM to 30 wins!) for the series finale at Truist Park. We’re on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK after another brutal loss despite Shota Imanaga’s brilliance (7 IP, 2 ER). We’ve scored only 3 runs in the last FOUR GAMES and have 13 hits total (worst since 1920!). Ben Brown (1-1, 1.82 ERA) starts against Chris Sale (6-2, 2.20 ERA).
This is the series finale—can we end the FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK and avoid the sweep?
Cubs Season: 27-16 on a FIVE-Game Losing Streak
Record: 27-16 (Eleven Games Over .500, FIVE-Game Losing Streak)
We’re 27–16 and eleven games over .500 on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK after last night’s brutal 4–1 loss. Imanaga was BRILLIANT again (7 IP, 2 ER) but Nico Hoerner’s error in the 8th started the rally and Phil Maton gave up a 2-run homer to Mauricio Dubón. We’ve scored only 3 runs in the last FOUR GAMES and have 13 total hits (worst since 1920!).
Last Night’s Loss (4–1):
- Lost 4–1 (FIVE-game losing streak!)
- Shota Imanaga: 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks (4-3, brilliant but wasted!)
- Nico Hoerner: Error in 8th (botched glove flip on routine grounder!)
- Phil Maton: Gave up 3 runs in 8th (Dubón 2-run HR!)
- Only 4 hits (13 hits in FOUR GAMES!)
FIVE-Game Losing Streak:
- Lost to Rangers 6–0 (shut out)
- Lost to Rangers 3–0 (shut out, Happ’s 30-game on-base streak ended)
- Lost to Braves 5–2 (ONE-HIT!)
- Lost to Braves 4–1 last night (Imanaga gem wasted)
- Only 3 runs in last FOUR GAMES!
Historic Offensive Collapse:
- 13 hits in FOUR games (worst since Aug 4-6, 1920!)
- Only 3 runs in 27 innings (brutal!)
- 4th time ever the Cubs had 13 or fewer hits in 4 games (1905, 1912, 1920, now 2026!)
Key Stats:
- 52 home runs (6th in MLB)
- .248 batting average (was .261 before this skid!)
- 5.2 runs per game (but 0.75 in last 4!)
Ben Brown Tonight:
- 1-1, 1.82 ERA (ELITE stuff!)
- .910 WHIP, 27 strikeouts
- Last start: 4 NO-HIT innings vs Rangers!
- Facing Chris Sale (6-2, 2.20 ERA, 56 Ks!)
We’re on a FIVE-game losing streak. Time to end it with Ben Brown vs Chris Sale!
Atlanta Braves: 30-13, FIRST TEAM to 30 Wins!
The Braves are 30–13 after beating us 4–1 last night. They’re the FIRST TEAM to reach 30 wins in 2026 and are on a FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK!
Braves After Last Night:
- Won 4–1 (FOUR-game win streak!)
- 30-13 record (FIRST to 30 wins!)
- Mike Yastrzemski: Pinch-hit go-ahead double in 8th!
- Mauricio Dubón: 2-run homer sealed it!
- FIRST in MLB with 30 wins!
Chris Sale Starting:
- 6-2, 2.20 ERA (lefty ace!)
- .878 WHIP (elite control!)
- 56 strikeouts (leading the team!)
- Former Cy Young winner (elite stuff!)
Braves Dominance:
- 30-13 record (.698 winning percentage!)
- 14-6 at home (dominant at Truist Park!)
- .272 batting average (BEST in MLB!)
- FOUR-game win streak
- Won the series 2-0 (going for sweep!)
The Braves are the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL and are going for the sweep!
Key Matchups at Truist Park
Ben Brown (1.82 ERA) vs Chris Sale (2.20 ERA)
Battle of ACE-caliber pitchers! Brown threw 4 no-hit innings last start! Sale has 56 Ks! PITCHER’S DUEL!
Cubs Offense (13 hits in 4 games!) vs Chris Sale
We’ve scored only 3 runs in FOUR GAMES. Sale is a lefty with a 2.20 ERA. This is a TOUGH matchup but we MUST break through!
END THE OFFENSIVE DROUGHT
13 hits in four games (worst since 1920!). Only 3 runs in 27 innings. The offense MUST wake up TODAY!
Avoid the SWEEP
Down 2-0 in the series. FIVE-game losing streak. Win today and avoid the sweep against the best team in baseball!
What the Cubs Need at Truist Park
Ben Brown Dominates
Brown has a 1.82 ERA and threw 4 no-hit innings last start! Match Sale’s brilliance and give our offense a chance!
OFFENSE WAKES UP
13 hits in four games. Only 3 runs in 27 innings. This is EMBARRASSING. TIME TO HIT!
Michael Conforto and Seiya Suzuki Lead
Conforto is hitting .364. Suzuki has been solid. We need our BEST hitters to produce against Sale!
END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK
Lost five straight. Avoid the sweep. Show we can compete with the best team in baseball!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We End the Streak!
Final Score: Cubs 3, Braves 2
Ben Brown DOMINATES—7 innings, 2 runs. Matches Sale’s brilliance in a PITCHER’S DUEL!
Our offense FINALLY breaks through against Sale! Michael Conforto drives in a run. Ian Happ contributes. We score 3 against the lefty ace!
The Braves score 2 but Brown and our bullpen hold on. We END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK!
One-run win. We’re 28–16, TWELVE GAMES OVER .500. We avoid the sweep and END THE SKID!
Why the Series Finale Matters
We’re 27–16 after losing 4–1 last night despite Imanaga’s brilliance. We’re on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK with only 3 runs in the last FOUR GAMES and 13 total hits (worst since 1920!). The Braves are 30–13 (FIRST to 30 wins!) on a FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK.
Win tonight and we’re 28–16. END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK and avoid the sweep against the best team in baseball!
Can Brown match Sale? Will our offense wake up? Can we end the losing streak?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 28–16 and bouncing back from FIVE STRAIGHT losses would show RESILIENCE!
Go Cubs Go. End the losing streak at Truist Park!