Chicago @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 9, 2012 ) Atlanta 0, Chi. Cubs 1

There has not been a ton for Chicago to smile about this season, but the Cubs are playing their best ball of the season as they open a seven-game road trip at Atlanta. The Cubs swept Houston this weekend at Wrigley Field and have won five of their past six. The Braves lost two out of three against Washington at Turner Field this weekend, falling 4½ games behind the first-place Nationals in the NL East.

The Cubs have received a big boost from top prospect Anthony Rizzo. The rookie first baseman homered Saturday, and already has delivered two game-winning hits in his first full week for the Cubs after playing 49 games last year with San Diego. Atlanta also is getting key contributions from a rookie. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons hit a game-tying homer Friday night, and continues to impress with his defense while hitting .333.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Chicago RH Jeff Samardzija (5-7, 5.05 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Tommy Hanson (9-4, 3.59 ERA).

Samardzija endured a dreadful June, going 0-4 in five starts with a 10.41 ERA. He surrendered nine earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings Wednesday against the Mets. Samardzija beat the Braves on May 7 in Atlanta, allowing just one earned run on five hits in seven innings.

Hanson pitched just about the opposite in five June starts, going 4-0 with a 3.13 ERA. Hanson has won two starts in a row, beating the Yankees on June 20 and downing the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He's won six of his past seven decisions overall.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Chicago took two out of three from Atlanta at Wrigley Field in May.

2. Atlanta is taking a flyer on former All-Star Ben Sheets, who has not pitched in the majors in two years. Sheets signed a minor-league deal Sunday and will start for Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday.

3. The Cubs are a major-league worst 10-29 away from home.