Chicago @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 8, Atlanta 4

THE STORY: The Chicago Cubs, who have won 10 of their last 13 games, will play the finale of a three-game series against the host Atlanta Braves on Sunday. The Cubs were routed in Friday's opener 10-4 before rebounding with an 8-4 victory Saturday to snap the Braves' five-game win streak. Dan Uggla has hit safely in 33 consecutive games for Atlanta, which owns a five-game lead over San Francisco in the National League wild card race.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Matt Garza (5-9, 3.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon Beachy (5-2, 3.43).

Garza has been the closest thing Chicago has to an ace, ranking among the National League leaders in strikeouts and posting five quality starts in his last six outings. He has been particularly sharp in his last two starts, fanning 16 hitters and allowing only three runs and 10 hits over 13 innings, but he came out of those games with a win and a loss after getting only one run of support in each. This will be Garza's first career start against Atlanta. Beachy has done an excellent job in his first full season, with no drop-off since coming back from injury in late June. He has six quality starts in nine outings since his return, going 4-1 with a 3.42 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 59:19. Beachy, who will be making his first start against the Cubs, is coming off a strong 10-strikeout performance at Florida on Aug. 9, one short of his career high. He allowed only three hits in 6 2/3 innings, with both runs charged to him scoring after he exited.

ABOUT THE CUBS (52-68): Chicago has been clicking offensively during its recent surge, scoring 73 runs over its last 13 games. Shortstop Starlin Castro, the club's All-Star, is batting .400 (12-for-50) in August, hitting four home runs after totaling only three in the first four months of the season. Three different Cubs have reached the 20-homer mark - first baseman Carlos Peña (22), third baseman Aramis Ramirez (21) and left fielder Alfonso Soriano (20). The problem for Chicago has been preventing runs - the Cubs sit near the bottom of the major leagues in nearly every pitching.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (70-50): Uggla, who is 8-for-11 with three home runs over his last three games, was last among National League regulars with a .173 batting average before taking off on his current streak, which has raised his average to .232. The Braves, though, have been led all season by their pitching staff - particularly a dominating bullpen. Lefthander Eric O'Flaherty (21 holds, 1.02) and Jonny Venters (6-1, 24 holds, 1.20) have been all but automatic setting up for closer Craig Kimbrel (36 saves, 1.87).

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta center fielder Michael Bourn leads the league with 43 stolen bases, but has only nine since June 28 and four since coming to the Braves in a trade from Houston at the end of July.