Atlanta Braves Legend Chipper Jones Sadly Kicks The Bucket @52 Alzolay has been added to the list of injured pitchers, along with Yency Almonte (right shoulder strain), Caleb Kilian (right shoulder strain), Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture), Jordan Wicks (left forearm strain), Drew Smyly (right hip impingement), and Daniel Palencia (right shoulder strain).
In the final game of their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, the Braves will host Charlie Morton, a veteran, in an attempt to continue Atlanta’s run of strong home runs.
The Braves have defeated the Cubs twice in a row, 2-0 on Monday and 7-0 on Tuesday. They have won six of their last seven games. At Truist Park, the Braves have gone 30 innings without conceding a run.
Morton will be making his eighth start. He threw seven strong innings in his most recent start on Friday against the New York Mets, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. The 40-year-old also surpassed 2,000 innings for his career.
“That’s a lot,” Morton said. “It’s something to be proud of and something to experience with this group here is pretty special.”
“He amazes me every time he goes out there,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.
Morton has made 18 career starts against the Cubs, going 4-7 with a 5.27 ERA. He made one start against the Cubs in 2023 and took the loss after surrendering five runs in 4 1/3 innings.
The last time Assad started was on Friday at Pittsburgh. After pitching 4 1/3 innings and surrendering two earned runs on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts, he was given a no-decision. In all eight of his starts this season, he has not given up more than two runs.
Assad has faced the Braves three times in his career, making one start, going 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA. Last season, he started a game against the Braves and was removed after 3 2/3 innings due to two runs on five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Adbert Alzolay, a reliever for the Cubs, was put on the 15-day disabled list on Monday due to a right flexor strain. He was sidelined by the same ailment back in September.
